Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda

The Albany County Republican and Conservative Conference today highlighted achievements and proposals to Enhance Public Safety and Support First Responders in the Capital District. The latest installment in the “Sensible Solutions” Agenda for 2023 came during National Police Week, and includes efforts to fight crime, stand up for safer communities, and provide relief and gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform.

“I served for 34 years with the Colonie Police Department as a Victim Specialist. I’ve seen firsthand what crime does to a community, and I know it is our youth, our families, our elderly, and our other most vulnerable that are often the most affected. Enhancing public safety and supporting first responders isn’t just a phrase; it’s the number one responsibility of government. I’m proud to stand in a Conference focused on fighting crime, standing up for safer communities, and giving thanks to our brave men and women in uniform.” -County Legislator Patty Schwarz Lockart (R-C, Colonie)

“As a mother and an attorney, I strongly believe in safe communities and the rule of law. I know what happens when these fundamental beliefs aren’t upheld by the government. Improving the quality of life in our County is something I take personally. Whether it’s fighting to get illegal guns off the streets, enhancing security at County facilities, or supporting our courageous first responders, I will always fight to make our streets safer.” -County Legislator Jennifer Whalen (R-C, Colonie)

ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY

The Albany County Republican and Conservative Conference believes public safety is the number one responsibility of government. In New York State, recent reforms have made catching, prosecuting, and detaining dangerous criminals more difficult. In this climate, it is all the more important that County government be responsive to the needs of County residents by enhancing public safety:

The Republican and Conservative Conference has fought to take illegal guns off our streets. Our Conference pioneered efforts that led to the adoption of the DISCOVER Program, legislation which takes guns off the street and provides training for legal gun owners. This important bipartisan initiative will work in a twofold manner to keep our County residents free from harm;
Our Conference opposes the inequitable use of County taxpayer funding for the use of Sheriff patrols within the city. While our Conference strongly supports the use of patrols to reduce crime in the City, thus making the whole County safer, it is nonetheless incumbent upon the City – and not the County taxpayer – to pay for these services; and
An unfortunate number of individuals in Albany County have been victimized by rising crime rates in our State. While stopping crime is a primary focus, care must also be given to those who have become victims. Our Conference voted unanimously in 2016 to enshrine the Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center within the Albany County Charter, permanently ensuring that victims will have a place to go and resources at their disposal when the unthinkable occurs.

SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDERS

The Albany County Republican and Conservative Conference believes that supporting police, firefighters, and other first responders is critical to public safety. In New York State, many of these emergency response forces have recently seen their ranks start to wane. Our Conference supports efforts to improve recruitment and retention of these brave men and women in uniform in our County:

The Republican and Conservative Conference proudly and unanimously supported recently passed legislation that will provide a 10% County property tax exemption for eligible active volunteer firefighters and EMS workers;
Our Conference members have joined the County Sheriff and local police and fire agencies in hosting multiple gun buyback events – made possible through the bipartisan DISCOVER program legislation our Conference supported; and
Our Conference will continue to call out efforts or mandates by any government agency targeting and demonizing members of law enforcement.