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Falco's statement is in reaction to the news that Rockland County Sheriff's deputies will begin providing armed protection, alongside security officials, as part of an agreement reached by County Executive Ed Day and the sheriff.
"We have performed an extensive review of what is needed and will be making decisions on where the deputies are place based on the research," Falco said.
Currently, six deputies are stationed at the Allison-Parris County Office Building in New City and at Buildings A and L at the Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Ramapo.
Building A, which formerly housed the Summit Park Hospital and Nursing Care Center, is home to the medical examiner's office, computer systems, health clinics, and the Department of Health in an attached part of the building. Building L houses the Social Services Department, officials with Day's office said.
“We thank Sheriff Falco and his staff for working so hard to make this happen,” Day said. “This effort will improve safety both for our employees and members of the public.”
Falco said that additional deputies and security personnel may be needed in addition to wands and magnetometers.
The "new" deputies are being paid through a deal under which Day transferred $2,105,595 from the county budget to the sheriff’s department to pay for enhanced security, said Day's office.
Security at county buildings was previously handled by unarmed guards under the county’s Department of General Services.
“We are very happy that the Sheriff’s Department is now handling security for county buildings,” Day said.
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