Future of Sheriff’s Dept. Co-Response Team Uncertain

By Holly Crocco

A simple request to use $12,895 from the sheriff’s department contingency funds to pay off the remainder of a lease for a vehicle dedicated to the Co-Response Team prior to the grant’s conclusion recently sparked a greater conversation about the future of the program.

“This is a very complex fund transfer,” said Legislator Nancy Montgomer, D-Philipstown, at the County Legislature’s May 5 meeting.

The county received a $400,000 Community Oriented Policing Services grant through the Department of Justice in 2023, and in 2024, Putnam’s Co-Response Team was established. The grant was then extended through 2026. It expires June 30.

The initiative brings together the departments of social services/mental health, and the sheriff, to provide a targeted response to calls regarding a mental health crisis. A member from each department arrive together, in an unmarked car and often in plainclothes, to provide support in a calm environment.

After the request for the fund transfer to pay off the lease went through the Protective Services Committee in April, notification was later sent to the Legislature indicating that the program may not continue.

“We got a memo from the sheriff stating he is going to not try to continue the CRT program after the grant runs out,” she said. “It was very obvious at the end of last year when we were kind of worried whether this would continue or not. I believe every legislator on the Legislature at that time expressed an interest in continuing that program, and we actually said, whatever you need to continue it, we’ll provide it to you.”

Montgomery said the Legislature was willing to allocate funding for resources and personnel to keep the program going.

“My understanding is the mental health worker that is at the sheriff’s office right now goes back to social services, but the car (a Jeep Grand Cherokee) stays with the sheriff,” she said. “What’s at hand is the budgetary transfer and not the program, but I’m still at a loss.”

Legislator Erin Crowley, R-Mahopac, expressed concern over the program coming to an end.

“I know the people that work in this unit – I know what they do. It’s such a need,” she said. “And it disheartens me to see that we’re disbanding it.”

She noted that having trained professionals respond to a scene in a less aggressive manner helps to de-escalate a situation, and keep everyone calm.

“It’s an important resource because mental health crisis requires a certain type of response,” she said. “I’ve found this to be very valuable to a community, and this community of people who may be in crisis, and I think the less aggressive approach has served the residents of Putnam in a time of need very well… We need to begin having conversations about sustainable, long-term funding. Mental health support is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Programs like this make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Legislator Laura Russo, R-Patterson, had several unanswered questions about the fund transfer, and the future of the program.

“I just would like more information because, what if we don’t pass this, or we pass it, can we still do something with this vehicle?” she asked. “Or is there a way to continue this program, just with a different avenue of funding? …I’m unsure what the impact would be voting for or against it.”

Legislator Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, agreed that more information is needed.

“I think this warrants another look through the committee, especially since the date on this grant is June 30,” she said, noting her disappointment in seeing the CRT team possibly ending. “Obviously the sheriff has the ability to build his department as he sees fit, but I think he really needs to look at the CRT team.”

The Legislature voted to postpone a decision on the matter so it can be discussed at this month’s Protective Services Committee meeting.