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DSS commissioner urges continuation of armed security as county weighs prevailing-wage cost; decision tabled to next month
Summary
Lewis County Department of Social Services officials described frequent confrontations and urged continuation of armed security at the department after New York State's prevailing-wage update increased contractor costs; legislators asked for more options and asked to consult the sheriff, and they agreed to table action until the next meeting.
Lewis County Department of Social Services Commissioner Jennifer Jones briefed legislators on safety concerns at the DSS office and urged continuation of armed security after a recent New York State Department of Labor prevailing-wage update raised contractor costs.
Jones described repeated incidents at DSS involving people in crisis, parolees, individuals with mental-health or substance-use problems and threats that required intervention by security officers or law enforcement. She said security staff have confiscated items such as pepper spray and, on multiple occasions, helped de-escalate situations in the lobby and secure staff safety. "My employees feel much, much safer having an armed security officer on-site," Jones said.
County staff explained the prevailing-wage change (effective July 1) bifurcated armed and unarmed security wage rates for upstate districts, increasing the contractor cost base. Jones said the county's Department of Social Services receives substantial state reimbursement for security as a high-target location, and she estimated the county's local share of the prevailing-wage increase would be about $6,500; she described armed security as standard practice at DSS sites for the past decade.
Legislators asked whether alternatives exist, including using sheriff's deputies or village police. County staff and legislators said deputies could serve but cautioned about patrol coverage and long-term cost (training, benefits and vehicle assignment), and multiple legislators asked staff to consult the sheriff and village police about options. One legislator suggested scheduling an executive session when more information is ready; others preferred a public discussion. The committee decided to delay a final decision to the next month to allow staff to gather options and cost comparisons.
Commissioner Jones said the county currently must pay prevailing-wage rates to the vendor until a structural change is made and that staff would return with additional financial details and law-enforcement options for the committee's follow-up discussion.
