City of Cohoes (Winner)
County: Albany County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (518) 233-2121

In 2009, the City of Cohoes implemented a Parking Violations Management program that has produced significant improvements in service to the public, clearance rates and collection, with no concurrent increase in staffing or other operational expenditures. Prior to implementation of the program, the City (population 16,168) was experiencing a decline in clearance rates, lengthy disposition times, and a large backlog of unanswered summonses.

Village of  Laurel Hollow (Winner)
County: Nassau County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (516) 692-8826

Since 1997, the Village of Laurel Hollow has contracted with Nassau County for police patrol services. During this period, the contract cost of police services increased by over 100% and now accounts for almost 50% of the total Laurel Hollow budget. A neighboring village, Oyster Bay Cove, was also struggling with increased police costs due to increases in pension fund contributions and healthcare costs.  The two municipalities hired a joint consultant to study the feasibility and define parameters under which a combined police patrol arrangement could work.

City of Utica (Winner)
County: Oneida County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (315) 725-3771

The Utica Police Department, in conjunction with UNHS NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, unveiled its new crime-fighting tool, the Armadillo, on Thursday, August 26, 2010. The Armadillo -- a donated Brinks vehicle -- is equipped and designed to serve as a virtually indestructible vehicle that, by its presence, discourages and prevents illegal activity as well as nuisance activities that impact the quality of life in neighborhoods.

Village of Endicott (Winner)
County: Broome County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
Village Hall: (607) 757-2421

The Unwanted Medication Collection program was developed by researching similar programs that have been initiated in other states, and putting it into action in the Village of Endicott. The program was originally developed in response to pharmaceuticals being found in public water supplies. The public disposing of unwanted medications into a wastewater treatment system is a major entry point. To address this problem, this program allows any person to come to one central location and, free of charge, dispose of any unwanted medication. The collected medications are then transported to a solid waste incinerator which prevents the medication from entering the water system. Prior to the event, residents did not have a way to dispose of medications that would protect both public safety and the environment.

City of Troy
County: Rensselaer County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
CIty Hall: (518) 270-4495

The Troy ITS Signal Improvements project was a locally administered Federal aid design project that involved the rehabilitation of 22 traffic signals in the historic downtown. The project was developed to replace antiquated traffic signal equipment and provide a coordinated signal system that would reduce vehicular delays and the resulting emissions.

City of Rome
County: Oneida County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (315) 336-6000

The program the Public Safety Department of Rome is creating a program in which the elderly populations of Rome are targeted for disaster preparedness, specifically evacuation preparedness. In times of emergencies most of the elderly have no means of transportation and mobility and have always served as the first victims.  Therefore, this community preparedness program trains volunteers in times of emergencies to help the elderly evacuate.

City of White Plains
County: Westchester County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (914) 422-1200

The City of White Plains Department of Public Safety Fire Bureau created a project to provide fire safety education to residents of high rise buildings, partially because the City is increasingly defined by high rise residences and office buildings.  The White Plains Fire Bureau created a Residential High Rise Fire Safety public service DVD that would raise awareness and educate the residents on fire safety. The DVD featured firefighters as actors at a local residential high rise building demonstrating fire safety practices. The DVD format presented a unique opportunity to provide information and education to a large segment of the population in an effective, innovative, and entertaining manner.

City of Peekskill (Winner)
County: Westchester County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (914) 734-8418

The Peekskill Boatworks was a hands-on boat building project in the summer of 2009. Eight high school students spent six weeks building a fourteen-foot wooden skill patterned after the rowboats used by Hudson River Fishermen during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The program was initiated by James Taylor, a retired school principal in partnership with the City of Peekskill Youth Bureau.

Village of Rhinebeck (Winner)
County: Dutchess County
Population: 50,000 +
Village Hall: (845) 876-7015

The purpose of the Heart Safe Initiative is to educate and train the Rhinebeck community about CPR and AED use. The program was the first community-wide effort in Dutchess County to address heart safety, and first to be recognized as doing so.

City of White Plains (Winner)
County: Westchester County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (914) 422-6222

White Plains Public Safety is responsible for the safety of 57,000 residents plus 200,000 "day residents" that come to the city for employment, health care, education, and county services. It is reasonable to estimate that on any given day in White Plains, there may be 7,000 persons with mental illnesses.