New Southampton Public Safety Foundation Kicks Off First Community-Supported Initiatives

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The newly formed Southampton Public Safety Foundation is set to launch its first community supported initiatives, representatives said.

SPSF, an independent 501(c)(3) public charity "dedicated to enhancing the public safety and strengthening community well-being in the Village of Southampton", is moving forward with public safety projects, including new safety cameras at Lake Agawam and Agawam Park, and specialized equipment for the Southampton Village Police Department's new K-9 vehicle, representatives said.

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The announcement followed SPSF's second annual "Southampton Together " gathering, which marked the Foundation's first anniversary, representatives said.

The projects, they said, represent the next step in a growing partnership among residents, the Southampton Village Police Department and village leadership. By bringing private philanthropy together with the expertise of local public safety professionals, SPSF can help address important needs that may fall outside existing municipal budgets, representatives said.

At Lake Agawam and Agawam Park, "one of the village's most visible and frequently used public spaces", the Foundation will support the installation of four public safety cameras and the equipment and infrastructure needed to operate them, representatives said.

SPSF also plans to work with the police department to assess the village's wider camera network and identify where additional or upgraded technology could make the greatest difference.

The Foundation will also help outfit the police department's new K-9 vehicle with the specialized equipment required to transport and protect a police dog safely, officials said.

In addition, a donor-designated contribution will support the department's K-9 program, representatives said.

"This is just the beginning of what our partnership among Southampton residents, the police department and the village can accomplish," said Annie Falk, president of the Southampton Public Safety Foundation. "As we grow, and as more residents choose to support this work, we hope to strengthen the village's camera system, develop community education programs and respond to other priorities identified with our public safety leaders. Every contribution gives us greater capacity to turn good ideas into meaningful action for Southampton."

SPSF also announced the appointment of Southampton resident Sean Smith to lead the Foundation's Advisory Council.

"A longtime member of the Southampton community and dedicated supporter of local law enforcement, Smith has demonstrated his commitment to public safety through initiatives including a generous donation to the Southampton Village Police Department for a utility vehicle used for beach patrols and village events," representatives said.

"An award-winning television news producer and executive with a distinguished career spanning decades in national broadcast journalism, Smith brings extensive communications expertise, strong community ties and a deep commitment to Southampton," representatives said. "As leader of the Advisory Council, he will play an important role in engaging residents, expanding community participation and bringing new perspectives and ideas to SPSF as the Foundation grows its programs and impact."

SPSF works with Southampton Village public safety leadership to identify priorities, while all requests for Foundation support are independently reviewed and approved by the SPSF board. Residents interested in supporting the camera initiative, the K-9 program, community education or future public safety needs may learn more here..