$127 million in state funding going to police departments across Hudson Valley to improve public safety

Police departments across the Hudson Valley are getting a major financial boost from the state. A total of $127 million in grants are being distributed to police departments around New York, with nearly three dozen of them are in Westchester County.

The funds are intended to help with access to new technology and updated equipment to prevent and solve crimes.

In New Rochelle, the police department is getting $479,100.

The department plans to use the funds for speed recognition devices, upgrades to camera systems and also, toward a drug recognition testing device.

"Officers can test drugs on the street accurately and with the prevalence of fentanyl now a days that can instantly hurt someone if it gets on their skin so that's a great piece of technology, we look forward to getting," says Capt. Collins Coyne, with the New Rochelle Police Department.

The funds are part of the fiscal year 2025 Enacted Budget.

More than half of the total funding will go toward license plate readers, body-worn and patrol vehicle equipment and public safety camera systems.

“Public safety is my top priority, and we are continuing to make record investments in law enforcement so they have the resources they need to protect our communities,” says Gov. Kathy Hochul in a press release.