As Sheriff, one of my most important responsibilities is to help keep our community safe, especially during times that matter most to us, such as holidays, religious gatherings, and times of worship. These times bring people together to celebrate faith, family, and tradition, but they can also be opportunities for those who want to take advantage of large crowds.
Places of worship are sacred spaces, and everyone should feel safe when gathering to practice their faith. We work closely with faith leaders across Orange County to provide resources, training, and increased patrols during major holidays. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office offers free public safety and security programs led by specially trained members of the Special Operations Group. These programs aim to assess and educate staff working in hospitals, schools, businesses, houses of worship, and offices throughout Orange County. Our members focus on the best practices of avoiding an incident through observation, pre-planning, security measures, and mitigating an emergency. While we hope that this information is never needed, we recognize that awareness and education are essential.
I want to remind our community members that when attending services or events, be mindful of your surroundings. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, notify law enforcement immediately.
The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and celebration. By remaining vigilant, we can ensure they are also safe.
If you are interested in a public safety and security program, please email: sog@orangecountygov.com or Call: 845-291-4368
For more information or to contact my office, please visit www.orangecountygov.com and click on the Sheriff’s Office links or contact us at OCNYSheriff@orangecountygov.com.
