'Making Crime Pay' funds Albany County programs | News

ALBANY - On Tuesday, Albany County District Attorney David Soares presented a check to the Junior Golf Alliance of New York to fund summer programs for Albany children.

The money comes from the “Making Crime Pay” program and the alliance is just one of many programs helped by “Making Crime Pay.”

“I am pleased to announce this collaborative effort to provide worthy activities for young people,” said Soares in a statement. “These programs have a track record of success in bringing the game of golf to kids, while providing guidance and mentoring. I want to thank Frank Ciarlo for all his work with the Junior Golf Alliance, Cathy Corbo and Rev. Smart for working with my office to provide activities for youngsters. These programs will provide facilities and educational programs designed to promote character development and values through golf.”

The program through the District Attorney’s Office is designed to deter crime by depriving criminals of the profits and proceeds of their illegal activities. Then, they use what criminals gain through their acts of crime to support law enforcement and public safety initiatives throughout Albany County.

Initiatives funded through the “Making Crime Pay” program include:

• Purchasing Communication Radio upgrades, Patrol Rifles, and software upgrade to employ Live Scan inkless electronic fingerprinting as part of criminal background checks for Coeymans Police Department
• Purchasing Guns, Plate Readers and other crime fighting technologies for local law enforcement agencies
• OffenderWatch for every jurisdiction in Albany County
• Guns for Altamont and Cohoes Police Departments
• Coeymans and Green Island Police Departments
• Aircards  and an undercover vehicle for Cohoes Police Department
• K-9 Bullet Proof Vests for New York State Police Service Canines
• In-car Cameras for Cohoes Police Department
• Plate Reader and Evidence Tracking System for Menands Police Department
• Providing two way radios and flash lights to support Neighborhood Walk and Watch programs in Cohoes, Delmar, Watervliet, Van Schaick Island,  and the City of Albany
• Scholarships for State and Local Police for specialized training
• The “Bring it to the Courts” Basketball League and other ENOUGH supported youth crime prevention initiatives
• Continuing education for area Police Officers and prosecutors
• Nearly 1,000 back-packs filled with school supplies and, working with the local teachers union, APSTA, delivering them to low income families across Albany County.