U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer visited Elmira City Hall on Monday afternoon and called for more funding to equip police officers with screening devices to identify potentially dangerous street drugs.

The bill, dubbed the Providing Officers With Electronic Resources — or POWER Act — would create a $20 million grant program through the U.S. Department of Justice that would help state and local law enforcement organizations purchase the devices, which would better determine the make-up of the drugs.

While police in more populated areas may have access to such equipment, officers in smaller municipalities, like Elmira’s 71-officer force, have mostly been priced out of the equipment, proven vital during the nation’s opioid epidemic and fentanyl scares.

“The POWER Act pays for these portable devices to go to our police departments. With these devices, they can tell right away,” Schumer said. “The problem is these devices cost $80,000. I am here to tell our men and women from law enforcement that we are for you. The previous bill sailed through Congress and President Trump signed it.”

According to Elmira police, current drug-testing kits only test for certain drugs and require officers to open packaging, potentially exposing them chemicals inside. 

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Schumer said that 90 percent of illegal drugs that enter the United Status come through ports of entry or through the postal service. The recent spending bill averting a government shutdown contained more money for detection at ports of entry. 

“We’ve worked very hard to go after fentanyl. Two years ago we passed a law that helped detect fentanyl at the border,” added Schumer. “In the recent budget, there was more money for that.”

On the heels of two Elmirans being sentenced for their involvement in the operation of a drug distribution ring, as well as the deaths of at least two individuals and the overdose of another, due to the ingestion of fentanyl purchased from the ring, Schumer urged federal action. 

“Fentanyl is so deadly that one contact can kill you. It is an awful and deadly drug. It’s not made here, it comes from oversees, mainly China,” said Schumer. “Just last week, two men … were convicted of selling fentanyl here in Elmira. I hope they get a long sentence.”

New York’s senior senator was joined at city hall by City Manager Michael Collins, Mayor Dan Mendall and representatives from area law enforcement organizations.

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