Newburgh welcomes Hope Not Handcuffs

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 3/30/22

The City of Newburgh Police Department announced their partnership with the Hope Not Handcuffs program.

City of Newburgh Police Commissioner Jose Gomerez welcomed those in attendance and those …

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Newburgh welcomes Hope Not Handcuffs

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The City of Newburgh Police Department announced their partnership with the Hope Not Handcuffs program.

City of Newburgh Police Commissioner Jose Gomerez welcomed those in attendance and those watching on Facebook Live as he made the partnership announcement.

“We the police department want the citizens to know that we are a partner and that we’re here to help any and all individuals who’s voluntarily seeking help for recovery,” Gomerez said. “Looking for help does not have to be the hardest step.”

The Hope Not Handcuffs program is an initiative that was started under the Families Against Narcotics [FAN] organization, which originated in Michigan, and seeks to assist any and all with addiction recovery with the assistance of police departments.
Mayor Torrance Harvey thanked Gomerez and Police Chief Anthony Geraci for their work to bring this program to the department.

“Police and community relationships in the City of Newburgh, New York are very important to me as the mayor of the City of Newburgh and to the city council and most importantly to our residents and our police,” Harvey said. “We cannot arrest our way through these challenges.”

According to Annette Kahrs, Program Director for Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley, this program was brought from Michigan to New York.

Originally, the program started in one of the Town of Wallkill police departments and only had 10 volunteers back in 2019. Three years later, the program has grown to 60 police departments in six counties, with over 500 volunteers according to Kahrs.

“I’m grateful that the City of Newburgh has adopted this program. This is a program for people who are asking for help, who want help,” Kahrs said. “One of the things that is so heartwarming about this program is truly these people who volunteer their time to go help a stranger at one of the darkest days of their lives”.
With Hope Not Handcuffs, volunteers known as Angels assist and support those who need the appropriate services.

Joining the press conference were Deborah Meissner, Tristen Sierra, Ashley Nelson, Susan Brisbois and Christine Gegenheimer who will be volunteering as Angels with the department.

“It’s a positive move for bridging the community and the police department and folks that are requesting help so I think it’s wonderful,” Meissner said.

“I feel as though it’s a blessing to the community to be able to receive help instead of the other option of getting arrested,” Nelson said. “People could actually get the help that they need especially when they’re walking into the police departments seeking help for their addiction.”

“I’m so proud to be part of this group,” Brisbois said. “I’m really hopeful that this is going to be a positive experience.”

For those in need, please call 833.428.HOPE[4673] or visit tccpartnership.org.