POUGHKEEPSIE – , written by Assistant Majority Leader Kristofer Munn for October, did not make it to the monthly agenda.  The Surveillance Hardware and Equipment Purchases Held to Elected Review and Decision Act (Shepherd Act) would amend the county’s Administrative Code to require legislative approval of surveillance technology agreements between vendors and the independently elected district attorney or sheriff.

Munn alleges that the “Shepherd Act” responds to public outcry over the Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras used as part of the .

The law would require the DA or the sheriff to obtain legislative approval before entering into a contract with a vendor for agreements including, but not limited to, LPRs, drones, gunshot detection systems, and geofencing software.

Fellow Democratic lawmaker Anna Shah (D-Town of Poughkeepsie) was an outspoken critic of the plan that was pulled from the agenda.  “I was not involved in developing or drafting this measure, and I do not support it,” she said in a memo to her constituents.

Explaining her position, the freshman legislator said, “I support transparency, oversight, responsible spending, and the decision to discontinue the County’s use of Flock cameras.”  The Shepherd Act, she noted, has broader implications for law enforcement and, in her opinion, interferes with “the independence of the elected offices of Sheriff and District Attorney.

Fellow Legislator Randy Johnson (D-City of Poughkeepsie), a longtime lawmaker, felt the Shepherd Act was an overreach.  “There are 25 legislators, and our first priority is creating a budget that provides the necessary services for the nearly 300,000 people who live in the county, without creating an unaffordable tax burden.  We need to keep things affordable and not waste time micromanaging our district attorney and sheriff.  Our job is to provide funding for our law enforcement personnel – not manage their methods.”

Republican Minority Leader Michael Polasek (R-LaGrange) also disagreed with Munn’s plan.  “I believe the Shepherd Act stretches the Legislature’s authority too far and would interfere with the responsibilities of our independently elected Sheriff and District Attorney. These officials are elected directly by the voters, not appointed by the Legislature.”  He also took an opportunity to critique the underlying plan, saying, “The Democratic leadership needs to do a better job managing the legislative process.”  Polasek previously served in leadership when the GOP had the majority.  He added, “This proposal came as a surprise not only to those two elected officials, but also to the County Executive’s Office and the full Legislature. When considering legislation like this, leadership should communicate with all involved parties. That is what good governing looks like.”



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