Security Division
Broome County Government Security Division
Edwin L. Crawford County Office Bldg.
44 Hawley Street
P.O. Box 1766
Binghamton, NY 13902
Main Office - 607.778.2107
CATS Forensic Lab - 607.778.3883
Welfare Fraud Hotline - 607.778.2519
Front Street Dog Shelter - 607.778.2493
The Broome County Government Security Division provides security services that ensure the safety and security of the county employees and the public that enter County facilities and attend county sponsored special events. These services are designed to provide and maintain an efficient, safe, and orderly work environment.
Broome County Security Officers are designated Peace Officers, with arrest powers and law enforcement authority under the New York State Criminal Procedure and Penal Law.
The Division consists of four distinct units, under the leadership of the Director of Security.
The units include:
- Administrative Services
- Uniformed Security Operations
- Case Integrity Investigations
- Dog Shelter Services
These working unit managers deliver services directly to our customers while directing each individual security effort.
Administrative Services
Central Security Desk
Maintain a public security presence at the main office. Manage all telephone traffic; monitor security cameras and dispatch officers to alarm locations as necessary; manage radio dispatch of patrol and duty station officers; assist in production of identification cards; computer entry and file maintenance as required.
Keys
This unit is responsible for the implementation of countywide key control through the use of intelligent keys, proprietary keyways and specialized applications.
Access
The unit is responsible for developing access standards and parameters and management of the database to support the countywide card access system and the issuance and retrieval of access cards.
County Identification Card System
This unit is responsible for issuing Broome County identification cards, both access and non-access, to the employees and clients of the County.
Parking
The unit maintains all parking records, including permissions, access, revenue, and the waiting list. Performs routine parking patrols.
Backgrounds
Conducting personnel background information investigations and evaluating the information pursuant to the County's Pre-employment Screening Project.
Internal Investigations
This unit under the direction of the Director of Security performs internal investigations.
Patrols
The unit is responsible for the security of the common areas and tri-partite (state, county, city) controlled parking facility at the Government Complex. Patrols conducted at varying intervals during working hours, including video surveillance monitoring.
Records
Officers ensure the security incident reports are properly entered in the computer database. Officer is responsible for record storage and retrieval.
Evidence
This unit is responsible for the proper handling and storage of all evidence, including marking and control.
Lost & Found
Maintains records of lost and found items; attempts to discern ownership and make the necessary contact.
Safe Keeping
Maintains storage and related records of all items entrusted to Security Division for safe keeping.
Supplies & Equipment
Acts as Quartermaster for the division. Responsible for the ordering and issuance of all uniforms, weapons, and duty supplies to all Security personnel and the maintenance of appropriate records. Responsible for maintenance and procurement of items necessary for the operation of the Division.
Transfers
Complete the confidential transfer of funds and documents from various County facilities.
Training
This unit is responsible for organizing and conducting the annual NYS Peace Officer Academy, as approved by the State of New York Division of Criminal Justice Services. Also responsible for the scheduling of annual in-service training, both mandated and optional, of all Division officers.
This unit also is charged with seeking out and securing training opportunities for Division personnel that aid and assist the individual in his or her job performance and enhance career growth, and benefit the Division and the County.
Technical Services
The Computer Analysis and Technical Services (CATS) function offers video surveillance, video forensic, and computer forensic services to County departments and Law Enforcement agencies in the County. The CATS unit completed over 160 combined (computer/video) cases in 2004.
For more information on these Administrative Services, call James Thompson, Security Services Manager for Administration.
Uniformed Security Operations
This unit is responsible for management of the in-house uniformed security force, the planning of operations, and evaluating the efficiency of manpower expenditures. Uniformed security service and personnel are stationed at, or patrol, County facilities and events to include:
- Broome County Library
- Binghamton (Broome County) Regional Airport & Transportation Department
- Broome County Office Building
- Broome County Public Works & Parks Department
- Department of Social Services & Mental Health
- Health Department
- Willow Point Nursing Home
- Special Events
Whether supplying Emergency Medical Technicians (Security Medical Team) at special events or responding to requests for protective service, security personnel provide diverse functions in assisting County Departments in completing their missions. For questions regarding security operations call Assistant Security Director Joseph Bezek at 607.778.2107.
Case Integrity Unit
This highly recognized unit is the leader among New York State counties in uncovering, prosecuting, and deterring welfare fraud. The unit's professional staff continue to save and recover substantial taxpayer dollars by uncovering the fraud of unreported assets, income, household composition, and dual assistance. Officers perform the mandated front-end detection function of the eligibility process to prevent unqualified recipients from receiving benefits. Report welfare fraud to James Dadamio, Supervising Fraud Investigator at 607.778.2519
Front End Detection
The unit's investigative staff assigned to the FEDS program screen and interviews all applicants to the safety net or family assistance program. All applications are checked for accuracy and truthfulness. Investigators conduct home visits to applicants to ensure the resources, residence and household composition reported to the agency is accurate. Applicants that intentionally falsify an application to social services may be sanctioned from future assistance benefits.
Case Integrity
The investigative staff assigned to the fraud program investigates complaints of welfare fraud involving public assistance, food stamps, medicaid, heap and daycare. Complaints are received from the public, internally from Department of Social Services (DSS) staff and by computer matches provided by New York State. Investigators conduct interviews both in the field and on site at DSS. Cases in which a client intentionally received benefits they were not entitled to may be criminally prosecuted and/or sanctioned from future benefits. All cases of over issuance of benefits to clients are pursed by the fraud unit for recovery.
Front Street Shelter
The Shelter is a model of cleanliness and efficient professional service. The Shelter holds contracts with eleven towns and the City of Binghamton and is dedicated to accepting and providing shelter for all those municipalities' dogs that are in violation of NYS and Local laws. We provide a central location for owners to find and recover their missing pets. We provide a location for owners to turn in their adoptable, unwanted pets at no charge. We have an active adoption program that matches adoptable dogs and puppies with compatible, loving new families. Our Camp Barkalot offers limited dog/puppy boarding! We promote the importance of licensing, spay/neutering, vaccinations and obedience training. We also offer shelter tours and off-site education programs within our community. Staff includes the Shelter Manager, Assistant Manager and four Kennel Persons. The Shelter is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - appointments are available evenings and weekends - and the Shelter is staffed seven days a week to provide care for impounded animals. Contact the Shelter at 607.778.2493
