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County officials report staffing, relocation and case‑review updates at committee meeting
Summary
Department heads reported operational issues: Probation is displaced and seeking relocation, the sheriff opened an Ignite housing/training pod and started a cadet program, the Public Defender said recent hires eased caseloads and a discovery tool is pending approval, and the DA warned of a staffing crisis tied to discovery requirements.
Multiple county department leaders briefed the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee on Dec. 3 on staffing, facility and operational updates.
Probation: Valerie Naccarato, Director of Probation, said her office is "out of our building and unhoused at this time," citing installation delays caused by recent snow and saying the department is looking to relocate soon.
Sheriff: Sheriff Figueroa said the office opened an "Ignite housing unit," described as a gate pod to support programming and training (GED and other services). He announced a cadet program launched last Monday and an officers and citizens academy starting tomorrow at 6:00 p.m., and said the corrections division is making a cultural change in how it delivers programs. He confirmed plans to provide separate female housing units where classification requires separation.
Public Defender: Elizabeth Corrado reported the caseload‑relief program adopted by the county has resulted in two hires and six additional resumes; she said that if hiring continues into January the office may be able to end 18‑b panel diversion pending year‑end caseload numbers. Corrado also previewed the discovery module both her office and the District Attorney seek to approve at this meeting.
District Attorney: District Attorney Naiji warned the office is "suffocating in work," saying two experienced prosecutors recently resigned and that discovery laws have increased workload statewide. He referenced a Dutchess County presentation estimating a very large increase in staffing needs to handle discovery and body‑camera review and said funding has not kept pace with the new obligations.
Emergency Management: Ebra Erickson reported November call totals to the county emergency center of just over 9,200; he gave breakdowns (EMS 2,308 calls, law enforcement ~2,495 calls, fire incidents and 11 fire investigations) and said the EMS stabilization plan and other projects are moving forward.
Committee members thanked staff and recognized that several items on the agenda will require follow up on cost, staffing and implementation timelines.
