Dutchess County Real Time Crime Center to debut at year’s end

POUGHKEEPSIE — The Real Time Crime Center, announced earlier this month as part of county executive Sue Serino’s 2025 proposed spending plan, will kick off at the end of this year.

The $200,000 initiative, whose financing will originate from the Community Benefit Fund, is designed to combat crime through collective oversight and rapid response by law enforcement. The proposal was unanimously approved by the county legislature on Nov. 14.

Serino signaled her support for the measure with her belief that its formation is necessary as an expedient and collective crime reduction measure. “The RTCC will be a true game-changer for speed of response and police safety,” Serino said. “This cutting-edge initiative leverages technology for faster, more effective law enforcement response to protect our communities.”

While the real time crime center may be new to Dutchess, it is not the first one in New York. The concept originated with the New York City Police Department in 2005 with cities in other parts of the country following suit. These centers function by sharing information gleaned from audio, video, license plate readers and other sources into a singular cloud-based view. Additionally, Real Time Crime Centers foster greater communication between law enforcement, community agencies and emergency services. The intended end result is greater uniform awareness of criminal activity in progress and across-the-board access to case-building details.

Staffing needs will be filled by the sheriff’s special operations bureau and a crime analyst from the district attorney’s office. District attorney Anthony Parisi, an advocate for the real time crime center’s formation, believes it to be a worthy expenditure.

“A Real Time Crime Center is not just an investment in technology,” Parisi said. “It’s an investment in the safety and security of our community.”

Latest News

Farm Fall Block Party returns to Rock Steady Farm
Rock Steady Farm during the 2024 Farm Fall Block Party. This year’s event returns Sept. 6.
Provided

On Saturday, Sept. 6, from 12 to 5 p.m., Rock Steady Farm in Millerton opens its fields once again for the third annual Farm Fall Block Party, a vibrant, heart-forward gathering of queer and BIPOC farmers, neighbors, families, artists, and allies from across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Co-hosted with Catalyst Collaborative Farm, The Watershed Center, WILDSEED Community Farm & Healing Village, and Seasoned Delicious Foods, this year’s party promises its biggest celebration yet. Part harvest festival, part community reunion, the gathering is a reflection of the region’s rich agricultural and cultural ecosystem.

Keep ReadingShow less
The art of Marilyn Hock

Waterlily (8”x12”) made by Marilyn Hock

Provided

It takes a lot of courage to share your art for the first time and Marilyn Hock is taking that leap with her debut exhibition at Sharon Town Hall on Sept. 12. A realist painter with a deep love for wildlife, florals, and landscapes, Hock has spent the past few years immersed in watercolor, teaching herself, failing forward, and returning again and again to the page. This 18-piece collection is a testament to courage, practice and a genuine love for the craft.

“I always start with the eyes,” said Hock of her animal portraits. “That’s where the soul lives.” This attentiveness runs through her work, each piece rendered with care, clarity, and a respect for the subtle variations of color and light in the natural world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reading and recommendations from Carissa Unite of Oblong Books

Carissa Unite, general manager of Oblong Books in Millerton.

Provided

Carissa Unite of Millerton, began working at Oblong Books 16 years ago as a high schooler. She recently celebrated her eight-year anniversary as the general manager.

Unite’s journey at Oblong began even before she applied for her first position.An avid reader from a young age, she was a frequent customer at the store. During those years, Unite bonded with a former employee who encouraged her to apply for a position after connecting over their shared love of reading.

Keep ReadingShow less