COUDERSPORT — Potter County Commissioners issued a proclamation naming next week National Police Appreciation Week in honor of the work done in Potter County by various law enforcement officers.
District Attorney Andy Watson read the proclamation naming May 14-18 as Police Appreciation Week in Potter County and announced a luncheon scheduled for Monday to honor law enforcement personnel. Other events have been planned throughout the week, and area business owners and residents are asked to put up posters, signs or other words of encouragement, and to decorate with black and blue balloons in honor of state and local police officers.
As part of the event, Tuesday has been named Peace Officer Memorial Day, in honor of the officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty.
Commissioners announced that the county earned a Criminal Justice and Public Safety Achievement Award as part of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards Program, which recognizes county-level programs across the country that are innovating in ways that can be replicated in other communities.
The submission for the award was entitled Smart Justice: A Rural Success Story, and it highlighted four programs launched to create more opportunities for individuals involved with the criminal justice system. Many people who come into contact with courts and corrections officials suffer from mental health, addiction or other issues that hinder their efforts to become productive members of society.
“Upwards of 85 percent of defendants coming into the criminal justice system are mentally ill or suffer from addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. Many lack access to treatment and other services which greatly enhances their likelihood of reoffending,” according to Smart Justice documentation.
Programs include the Specialty Court System, which includes the DUI Treatment Court and Drug Treatment Court currently, with possible expansion to include a mental health court and veterans court; the Pre-Trial Diversion Program, which provides drug, alcohol or mental health treatment and specialized services to qualifying criminal offenders; establishment of the Women’s Residential Rehabilitation Center; and the Concerned Law Enforcement Against Narcotics (CLEAN) program, which allows drug users to turn over their illegal substances to police officers and receive referrals to rehabilitation programs without being criminally charged.
Various programs initiated by Potter County are being looked at by other communities for similar implementation and are being hailed as successful pilot programs that can be adapted for other purposes and communities.
Commissioners also lauded Potter County Conservation District efforts, including the department recently being awarded a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for work to improve habitat and water quality on Ludington Run, a tributary of the Genesee River. Director Jason Childs introduced Emily Shosh, communications and outreach advisor with PCCD, whose duties include educational programming for area school students.
Commissioners approved the resignation of Dawn Wooster, confidential executive secretary, effective June 8.
Several staffing changes were acknowledged. Cameron Kockler will return as a paid intern to the District Attorney’s office through Aug. 10.
Warden Glenn Drake terminated the employment of Wayne Buck as a part-time corrections officer and hired Jeremy Barnard as a part-time corrections officer.
Jessica Giebel was hired to the new position of Criminal Justice Resources Coordinator. Giebel will fill multiple needs through the position, most importantly developing and implementing a system that will track outcomes for individuals involved with the various criminal justice initiatives being implemented throughout the county to ensure best practices are being utilized.
Three applications were received for Liquid Fuel tax funds. Bingham Township requested $3,306.69; Sharon Township requested $3,831.80; and Allegheny Township requested $2,695.19.
The next meeting of the Potter County commissioners will be held at 11 a.m. on May 24 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.
