28-05-2025
Law enforcement officials and DAs hold state funding discussion for new technology
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — Law enforcement officials throughout Chemung County were in Elmira on Tuesday with state representatives and district attorneys from at least two counties to discuss recent state funding bringing new crime-fighting technology to the area.
The group convened at the Chemung County District Attorney's Office to discuss statistics, funding, and public safety efforts that have worked in Elmira and around the state.
Joseph Popcun, executive deputy commissioner at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, spoke directly with the group to go through the benefits of the technology grants, see what crime mitigation tactics are working, and discuss the Gun Involve Violence Elimination Program and services for victims.
Popcun said that the state wants to help reach areas of unmet need, so bringing vital technology to help combat crime is important.
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'We want to reach communities like Chemung County, Elmira, where we recognize there were potential areas of unmet need,' Popcun said. 'So, hearing today about how some of this technology is being put to work, to identify shootings, to respond quicker, to look at the ballistics casings to tie shootings together and then ultimately to support a prosecution to make sure people are held accountable,' Popcun said.
Some of the technology already helping Elmira includes the Flock Raven System set up to detect gunshot audio in the city. Elmira Police Chief Kristen Thorne already noted a few cases where the system helped officers arrest suspects involved in the shootings.
As for the new equipment, the grant funding EPD received allowed it to purchase two new SWAT robots, a crisis negotiation phone, and a new pole camera. This new equipment replaces outdated technology and will be used in the field and during training sessions. Accompanying the physical equipment is new software that the police department and detective bureau can use to work through cases more efficiently.
The police department isn't the only area benefitting from the new technology Chemung County District Attorney Weeden Wetmore noted that the amount of physical evidence that's attainable now is important in prosecuting cases.
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Wetmore said during trials when he has videos and photographs from cameras and other technology throughout the city, it helps tremendously.
The group added funding for victim services as a huge part of this initiative, with Wetmore noting the importance of helping the victims.
'We're here to seek justice, and justice is not just about prosecuting individuals, the bad guys, but it's also about making the victim whole,' Wetmore said. 'With this, with the victim's assistance, the money that's given they are provided resources they can utilize, whether it be counseling, whether it be a home for a short period of time, there are various things that can help out the victims, so that's a very important component of this,' Wetmore said.
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