By Joe LoTemplio
Press-Republican
PLATTSBURGH — Clinton County probation officers may soon be carrying guns.
“We are seeing more big-city issues in the Plattsburgh area, with drugs and the things that go along with it,” County Probation Director David Marcoux told the Press-Republican.
“It is better for our officers to be prepared if a situation does arise.”
FIELD VISITS
Marcoux is seeking approval from the County Legislature for a policy that will allow the 18 probation officers in his department to carry guns, if they choose to, when making field visits to people on probation.
On a given shift, only six officers could be working at the same time, and probably only four would need to carry weapons on that shift, Marcoux said.
He wants to purchase six handguns, plus holsters and ammunition for them, at a cost of about $13,000, which would come from the department’s reserve fund.
MORE FELONS
Marcoux has been with the department for 23 years, serving as director for the past 15 years. He said work has gotten more dangerous for officers.
Drugs are the main culprit, he said, as more and more offenders are getting involved with illegal narcotics.
“With drugs, we see associations with gangs and guns, and we are seeing more re-offenders,” Marcoux said.
Of the 727 people the County Probation Department is currently monitoring, 361 are felony offenders, an all-time high, Marcoux said.
CHANCE OF VIOLENCE
New state rules require probation officers to make more home visits to offenders.
But trouble can occur, Marcoux said, if an offender is caught drinking, taking drugs or with someone they are not supposed to be with.
They can become combative.
“You never know what you are going to find,” Marcoux said.
“I’d rather have this discussion about arming officers now than later with a dead probation officer.”
OFFICER TRAINING
Marcoux said the department is also considering having one officer in the Probation Department office armed, which is not the case now.
Of the 62 counties in the state, 34 have probation officers that carry weapons.
If approved, each officer will take a 47-hour firearm safety training course taught by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department.
Some officers are already trained, Marcoux said, but they can take a refresher course if needed.
They will be re-certified at least once a year after that.
DANGEROUS ADDICTS
Probation Officer Joseph Musso, who is also president of the County State Employees Local 884 union that represents the officers, said the time has come for officers to carry weapons.
“The union’s position is that it is a health and safety issue and it is in the best interests for the officers to be able to carry weapons if they choose,” Musso said.
In his nearly 30 years on the job, he has seen times change and feels there is more potential for officers to encounter violence.
“It’s drugs, drugs, drugs,” Musso said.
“People are addicted, and they will do anything to get their fix.”
In the past, those on probation usually hadn’t been sentenced to jail first; they were put on probation. But now, Musso said, they see probationers who have already been to jail once, sometimes twice.
“You never used to see that,” Musso said.
THREATS
Legislator Robert Hall (D-Area 10, City of Plattsburgh), who chairs the county’s Public Safety Committee, supports the measure to allow the officers to carry guns.
The committee also unanimously approved the pending resolution, which has been in the works for nearly two years.
“There have been some dangerous situations,” Hall said.
“They (officers) don’t have to carry a gun all the time, but if they are going to a place where they know there might be a threat, then they should have that option.”
For the most part, Hall said, if probation officers come across a potentially violent situation with an offender, they usually leave and call police.
“But some of these guys (offenders) are on drugs, and they are not scared of anything, and it can be dangerous,” Hall said.
“Hopefully, our guys will never have to use a gun, but it can be a deterrent.”
BODY CAMERAS
The department is also considering the use of body cameras for probation officers, which Legislator Mark Dame (R-Area 8, City and Town of Plattsburgh) says he might prefer.
“I am going to keep an open mind about this (use of guns), but right now I am not sure,” he said.
Dame said he is concerned that officers having a weapon could actually lead to more problems.
“I don’t want to put our officers at risk, but something could happen that is prompted by them having a gun,” Dame said.
“There is a reason why correction officers don’t carry guns in prisons.”
VOTE COMING UP
Legislators will vote on the resolution to allow the use of guns at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.
County Administrator Michael Zurlo said allowing probation officers to carry weapons will have only a minimal effect of the county’s insurance premiums.
“We already have law-enforcement coverage, so this is not a new area for us,” he said.