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Integrated Municipal Police Anti-Crime Teams Aggressively Fighting Gun Trafficking and Quality-of-Life Crimes in Troy; State Police Begin Local Patrols
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Senator Bruno today joined Governor Pataki to launch Rensselaer County's first full-scale Operation IMPACT (Integrated Municipal Police Anti-Crime Teams) in the city of Troy. Today, New York State Troopers will begin local high-visibility patrols to assist with the County's IMPACT initiative.
Operation IMPACT in Troy began in early summer of 2004 with undercover operations involving local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies.
Focused on quality of life crimes, the operations included undercover narcotics and vice. These operations have resulted in charges against 80 individuals, including 67 felony charges and 53 misdemeanor charges. Narcotics, cash, and a weapon were seized through the operations. Law enforcement agencies have also conducted warrant sweeps, a number of anti-gang operations and targeted traffic details.
"Operation IMPACT brings together State, local, and Federal personnel and resources to fight crime where it is needed the most," Governor Pataki said. "Since the spring, Operation IMPACT efforts in Troy have focused on undercover operations targeting drugs and prostitution. Today, uniformed State Police will begin working alongside local police to continue our efforts to crack down on drugs and other quality-of-life crimes in Troy. Our State, local and Federal law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to make sure that every person in Troy can walk the streets safely.
"New York is already the safest large state in the nation. By working together through Operation IMPACT, I know we can make New York the safest of any state in America," the Governor said.
"It is imperative that we take steps to protect the safety and security of our communities," Senator Bruno said. "Operation IMPACT has a proven record of helping communities throughout the state and I am confident that this program will yield positive results here in Rensselaer County. I'd like to thank Governor Pataki for his continuing commitment to protecting New York's families."
Troy's IMPACT
In Rensselaer County, the task force is coordinated by the District Attorney's Office and the Troy Police Department. The task force also includes, among others, the Rensselaer County Department of Probation; New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services; New York State Division of Parole; New York State Police; U.S. Attorney's Office; U.S. Marshals; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Rensselaer County received a total of $116,140 from the State for IMPACT.
The Rensselaer County IMPACT task force has designed a multi-phase plan, which focuses on a coordinated sharing of intelligence among the local police departments, the use of crime analysis and mapping to organize saturation patrols and zero tolerance sweeps to address quality-of-life issues, a continued highly visible law enforcement presence within designated target zones, a number of outreach and prevention initiatives with community and faith based organizations, and coordinated Federal and local prosecutions. In addition, local police are teaming with parole and probation officers to conduct ride-alongs in an effort to ensure that individuals under supervision obey the law.
Thila Brown, Director of the South Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association said, "As a Neighborhood Association Community Leader, I welcome the Operation IMPACT program with open arms and full cooperation. It is another 'valuable' tool in our box to keep our neighborhoods safe from the criminal and social problems that continue to plague our communities. Our neighborhoods are places where we want to live and play. We deserve to be able to enjoy the spirit of community that exists, and not be forced to hide from the 'criminal elements' that lurk out there."
Division of Parole Executive Director Anthony G. Ellis said, "The New York State Division of Parole is dedicated to community policing efforts. The recent arrests in Troy, as a result of Operation IMPACT, are proof that the expertise and support provided by Parole Officers are vital to a successful coordinated crime reduction strategy."
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