Red Hook school resource officers to use electric car following state grant

The School Resource Officer Program, as well as the district’s steps to reduce its carbon footprint, received a boost this month through a state grant.

The Red Hook Police Department purchased its first fully electric vehicle, which will be used by the School Resource Officer Program during months when school is in session, and installed a charging station at Red Hook Village Hall, using an $80,000 grant secured by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey.

The senator visited Linden Avenue Middle School earlier this month to celebrate vehicle’s purchase with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden, Village of Red Hook Police Lt. Patrick Hildenbrand, Village Mayor Karen Smythe, Red Hook Conservation Advisory Council chairperson and Red Hook Energy committee member Laurie Husted, and other school and police staff.

Warden thanked Hinchey for supporting the SRO program and the school district.

“The EV police car is aligned with our goal of transitioning our bus fleet to electric, which will reduce emissions and save costs,” Warden said. “We appreciate Sen. Hinchey for her dedication to the safety and well-being of our students at Red Hook school district. Her support is essential in helping us create a safer and more sustainable future for our children.”

In addition to the electric bus purchases approved by voters in May, the school district has installed new windows and doors to increase energy efficiency, solar panels on all of its school buildings and an HVAC system that cools the high school using ice created during overnight hours. The district’s steps to embrace green practices extends to its lunch periods, where well over 30% of the ingredients in meals served are grown and harvested in New York, and its garden programs at the elementary and high schools.

Hinchey said, “Electric vehicles make good climate and economic sense.” She called Red Hook “a small community leading the way locally to protect our planet, and our School Resource Officers are perfect role models to demonstrate the value of safety and sustainability, working together to support our schools and neighborhoods.”

The electric vehicle will be used for regular patrol duties during the summer months.

“I’m happy to contribute to such an important investment and excited to see how the new EV will bring cleaner air and cost savings to Red Hook,” Hinchey said.

Hildenbrand said he was “thankful” to Hinchey for securing the grant.

“Switching to an all-electric vehicle allows the Red Hook Police Department a cutting-edge opportunity to advance police services to the community we serve and protect,” he said. “This grant not only ensures the safest vehicle for our officers but also leads to substantial reductions in both fuel and maintenance costs.”