ALBANY COUNTY — In light of the recent attacks on police officers in New York City, Dallas, and Baton Rouge, local police departments have begun to review their security policies, in an effort to better ensure the safety of both police and civilian employees.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said on Tuesday that he is concerned about being short-handed, and having a staff that skews young, at all of his stations. He told The Enterprise that he is currently working with the deputies’ union to reassign staff to ensure that they are safe and have adequate backup.

The Guilderland Police began locking the outside front door to the building at 5209 Western Turnpike round-the-clock in July, a response to recent attacks on police officers in several major cities. The interior door, into to the police department proper, has always been locked.

“We just think it’s time-appropriate to review all our security policies,” Deputy Chief Curtis Cox said. One factor behind the change, he said, was concern for the safety of the civilians who work for the department.

Visitors now need to ring a buzzer, state their business, and be allowed in.

Cox said that the locked doors are “just one enhancement” that the department has made, and that he could not discuss others.

Police are still in the building at all times, and people are always welcome to come to the station, he said.

He added that, on the other hand, police have experienced “an outpouring of support for us recently” from town residents. He said that around town and on calls, people have gone out of their way to thank police and first responders for the work that they do and the dangers that they face, and that their support “is very much appreciated.”

Chief Carol Lawlor echoed this idea, adding that residents have been showering the department with sweets, coffee, and cards saying that they are praying for police. “The public has been very supportive during these times, and we appreciate it very much,” she said.

The front door of the town hall portion of the building will remain open and unlocked during town hall daytime hours, and also during the evenings when court sessions and meetings such as the town or planning board are scheduled, said Supervisor Peter Barber.

The door of the sheriff’s Clarksville station is usually unlocked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., said Apple. If staff goes out on a call, he said, “obviously it will lock, and there is a phone next to the door that rings at our 911 station.” 

Chief Todd Pucci of the Altamont Police noted that the outside door of the Altamont Police Station has always been locked; one reason for this is that the outside door leads to both the police department and also the fire station, with all of its equipment.

The other is that the Altamont station is a small department and not always staffed. Another access point, the inside door in the hallway that also leads to the village offices and the courtroom, is also always locked, he said.