The Cayuga Nation has filed a federal complaint against Cayuga and Seneca Counties over an E911 dispute.
The lawsuit also names Mark Balistreri in his official capacity as Director of the New York State Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications.
According to a press release from the nation, the suit has been filed in the US District Court for the Western District of New York and alleges that “the counties’ ongoing refusal to provide an interconnection to the counties’ emergency 911 systems to the Cayuga Nation Police Department (CNPD) [is] endangering the safety and well-being of the Cayuga Nation and its citizens.”
The nation further argues that the counties continue to exclude the CNPD from E911 system access despite granting it to other agencies such as volunteer fire departments. By doing this, the nation claims the CNPD is hindered from responding promptly to emergencies and effectively coordinating with emergency responders.
“Our primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. The refusal to integrate the Cayuga Nation Police Department into the E911 systems is not only discriminatory but also jeopardizes public safety and the lives of Cayuga Nation citizens. We call upon Cayuga and Seneca Counties to end this unjust practice and allow the CNPD the same access as other law enforcement agencies. The safety of our community should be paramount,” stated Clint Halftown, the Nation’s federally recognized representative.
Aside from injunctive relief, the nation is seeking damages for the counties’ “unlawful refusal to transmit emergency calls to CNPD units.”
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