Local leaders discuss public safety preparedness

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans raised questions about how to keep people safe in large crowds. Local leaders in Albany shared insights and recommendations on how counties can stay prepared for the unthinkable.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy called the tragedy in New Orleans alarming. 

“People want to break in the New Year, whether they had good 2024 or had a bad 2024, they want to start fresh and start new memories going into 2025. And unfortunately you see something like this happen. We always have to be, in government, ready for this situation,” said McCoy.

He is also the President of County Executives of America and said counties across the nation are increasingly concerned about domestic terrorism.

“You’ve gotta think of every scenario. We’ve got to keep our guard up,” said McCoy.

McCoy works closely with Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, who echoed his concerns.

“Domestic terrorism unfortunately has been on the rise for a number of years…Homegrown, domestic terrorists are something we worry about,” said Apple.

The Sheriff said his office communicates with state and federal partners everyday. This morning he ordered new equipment as a result of what’s happened across the country.

“I want to make sure that we have the best, and the latest, and the greatest technology. That we are prepared in Albany County for anything that comes our way. Or anything that comes our way that we can stop and prevent it as opposed to respond to it,” said Apple. 

Albany County Sheriff’s Office has a Threat Assessment Coordination Team (T.A.C.T.) that takes a deep dive into reported threats. But Apple said the community plays a major role in prevention. He said it’s critical for the public to speak up.

“We try everything preventative that we can. We are constantly drilling. We’re doing reality based training. We’re doing trainings with civilians every day. We are notifying the public about what to do, what not to do. Hear something, say something. See something, say something,” said Apple.

But, despite their best efforts, he said bad actors can still find a way. 

“We can’t prevent everything. But I can tell you what, we fight like hell trying and that’s something that we will never stop doing,” said Apple.

When heading anywhere with a big crowd he recommends creating a family safety plan, to be sure everyone knows a meeting point in case a bad situation unfolds.