By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office is one step closer to providing law enforcement on the Seneca Nation’s Allegany Territory.
County lawmakers approved a trio of resolutions Wednesday for designated patrols by deputies on the Allegany Territory, provide a tip line for Seneca residents and provide a K-9 dog, training and vehicle modifications.
Four new deputies — including a K-9 handler — would be hired under the proposed contract with the Seneca Nation.
The full county legislature will vote on the measures on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The contract calls for $849,003.91 for police services and equipment, including $288,329 in salaries and $129,820 for vehicles.
Sheriff Eric Butler said the Seneca Nation reached out to his office in the wake of the recent murders of Senecas in Salamanca and on the Cattaraugus Territory.
“The catalyst was the first homicide in Salamanca,” Butler said. “That started the conversation. I’ve always had a good relationship with the Seneca Nation,” said the Salamanca native.
Drug sales and violence are also a big concern of Seneca officials.
“The deputies will be doing regular patrol duties dedicated to the Allegany Territory” which stretches from Streamburg to Vandalia, Butler told the Olean Star on Thursday.
In association with the four new deputies, a tip line for Seneca Nation residents will be established and a new K-9, training and vehicle upgrade are part of the agreement legislators will be voting on next week.
The sheriff said deputy sheriffs are also provided under contract with the West Valley nuclear cleanup site and the Town of Randolph. The sheriff’s office also had a contract with the Seneca Nation for casino security.
Butler said that since the dedicated patrol vehicle could be some distance from an incident on the territory, the closest sheriff’s or state police patrol vehicle would be dispatched.
“It will greatly increase the presence and response time” on the territory, Butler said. “Anything we can do to help, we will.”
He said the Sheriff’s Office was hoping to get drug tips through the tip line. Monthly reports on the tip line and police services will be made to the Seneca Nation.
“A dedicated presence on the territory should really help,” Butler said.
The resolutions were sponsored by Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr, R-Gowanda and Joseph Boberg, R-Machias, chairman of the County Operations/Public Safety Committee.
