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Allegany County sheriff seeks federal grant to revive narcotics enforcement unit
Summary
Sheriff Cicirello asked the Public Safety Committee to approve applying for a BJA grant to fund a dedicated Narcotics Enforcement and Interdiction Unit, citing 217 overdoses, 41 deaths and 164 Narcan administrations since 2020; members pressed for details on staffing, costs and rehabilitation supports.
Sheriff Cicirello asked the Allegany County Public Safety Committee on June 3 to authorize applying for a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to establish a county Narcotics Enforcement and Interdiction Unit, saying the county has recorded 217 drug overdoses, 41 fatalities and 164 Narcan administrations since 2020. Cicirello said the unit would combine enforcement with rehabilitation and education and coordinate with Probation and the District Attorney’s Office.
The sheriff said the grant would fund two full-time deputies, several part-time deputies, equipment and vehicles and provide a consistent, full-time investigative presence and liaisons to local police. He described strong community support and regular cooperation with New York State investigative units, noting that local agencies provided letters backing a county unit, although the Wellsville Police Department did not submit a letter; the mayor of Wellsville supports the proposal.
Committee members focused on staff sourcing, long-term costs and program effectiveness. Legislator Jennifer Ricketts-Swales asked whether the sheriff would hire new personnel or reassign existing staff; Cicirello said the full-time positions would come via reassignment and vacancies would be backfilled, while many part-time roles would be filled by retired officers with narcotics experience. Legislator Dwight “Mike” Healy raised union and bidding concerns and argued current New York bail reform reduces opportunities for early intervention in substance-use cases.
Chairman W. Brook Harris and Legislator Charles Bessette urged caution about recurring costs and whether narcotics enforcement reduces demand; Administrator Knapp said opioid settlement funds may be used for public safety or discretionary public-safety needs. Cicirello said the county would need to plan for sustaining the unit after the grant ends and suggested options including asset forfeiture and restitution; he also noted many federal grants recur.
The committee agreed to add the narcotics grant request to the afternoon agenda for fuller consideration and budget detail. No formal vote to create the unit occurred at the work session.
The committee will review the funding plan and any formal application materials when the item returns to the Public Safety Committee agenda.
