Niagara County Sheriff's Department Community Services

The Community Services Unit of the Niagara County Sheriff's Department was established in October of 1985. This unit coordinates the presents speaking engagements, displays and other community presentations to the community. Crime prevention is the principle element of the program, such as home and personal security, Neighborhood Watch, conflict resolution, alcohol and drug awareness. Other programs on gun safety, traffic safety, child fingerprinting and child safety, as well as speaking engagements on law enforcement careers and sheriff's department functions are also presented. These opportunities allow the department to not only educate the public, but to meet the public in a neutral setting to help people see officers in a positive light.

The senior citizen crime prevention program "TRIAD" was created in Niagara County. Coordination with all the local police departments to initiate this program along with the Council on Aging/Senior Advisory Committee created a S.A.L.T. Committee, Seniors and Lawmen Together. This committee is responsible for overseeing the senior program for the county and for recommending programs and activities for crime prevention.

Neighborhood Watch programs are presented to communities to help educate citizens on how to better protect themselves and report crimes. To assist in the formation of these crime watches, the Niagara County Legislature established a Neighborhood Crime Prevention Program where crime watch organizations can apply for a grant up to $1000.00 for crime prevention equipment and materials. The program was assigned to this unit to oversee the initial application process. Presently, 6 organizations have been approved for grant funds.

The Youth Outreach Program was established by Barbara Converso of the inmate education program and is a popular topic in schools, particularly in the middle schools. This consists of taking an inmate from the jail that has been screened, and transporting this inmate to schools to talk to students about jail life. This is a way of taking the jail to the kids and allow them to see and hear first hand what it is like behind bars. The students get a chance to talk to and ask questions of the inmate and also see the equipment and dress that inmates must wear. This has shown to be a valuable learning tool for students to see first hand the consequences of bad choices.

This years construction of the new jail offered a unique opportunity to allow the public to tour the jail prior to its opening. Schools were allowed the chance to bring students in for tours of the facility as well, and several schools took advantage of this tour. During this time the Niagara County Boy Scouts participated in an overnight lock-in to see what jail life would be like while earning a crime prevention badge. They were provided with an officer to speak to them on crime prevention topics. Over 200 scouts went through this program that was designed not only for their benefit, but also allowed the corrections staff to train in the new facility. This was the first opportunity for scouts in the United States to participate in this type of setting.

An open house was also held for all citizens to come and tour the new jail facility. Over 1000 people attended over a three day period, for which one day was set aside just for senior citizens.

Niagara County Sheriff's Department
5526 Niagara Street Ext., P.O. Box 496
Lockport, New York 14095-0496
(716) 438-3393, Fax (716) 438-3302

Return to Main Menu