ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York State will award local governments $45 million to help them upgrade and modernize their emergency 911 systems.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration announced the funding on Friday. Counties across the state can apply for the money. It can be used to modernize and upgrade existing 911 systems, expand emergency radio coverage or support 911 dispatch centers.
New Yorkers pay a phone bill surcharge to support local 911 systems, but the state has regularly spent the money on other things.
A coalition of county leaders and 911 center officials is urging lawmakers to dedicate more money to 911 systems, which they say are struggling to keep up with the proliferation of cellphones
