Sheriff’s office awarded $40,000 state public-safety funds for countywide youth "Building Bridges" program

The Public Safety Committee approved $40,000 in funding from the New York State Department of Justice Services to support the sheriff’s Building Bridges program, a countywide youth intervention initiative administered by the sheriff’s office in partnership with GAP.

Sheriff Arteta told the committee the program modeled a weeklong course first used in Newberg and expanded countywide. The sheriff said two classes have run so far in Newburgh and that the program brings teens together for training, relationship-building with deputies and projects aimed at preventing gun violence.

“The first two classes we had happened to be more generated from the Newburgh area,” Arteta said. He described how deputies initially interact with participants out of uniform and later introduce themselves in uniform to build trust. Arteta said the program has attracted students who are well spoken and active in sports and that graduates present projects developed during the training.

Deputy Lucien, the program coordinator, was introduced to the committee as the county’s point person for organizing and expanding the program. A legislator and other committee members praised the initiative and said they had received positive feedback from community partners; one said Isabelle (surname not provided) “speaks very highly of the partnership.”

The funds are intended to cover program supplies, attendee meals and graduation expenses. The motion to accept the funding was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Committee members asked about participant ages and referral methods. Speakers said participants are typically ages 14 to 18 and may be referred through the sheriff’s office, YAP or other partners; the county did not provide a precise annual participant count at the meeting.