Saratoga Standard

Senator Dan Stec has voiced his concerns regarding the decision by United States Customs and Border Protection to reduce operating hours at four northern border crossings in New York State. The move, according to Stec, could significantly affect the safety and well-being of residents in these areas due to the unique relationship between communities on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border.

Stec highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation, particularly in emergency situations. "Communities along the U.S.-Canadian border have a special bond, with residents on each side serving to assist the other as firefighters and EMS first responders," he stated. He cited a recent incident where Canadian fire companies crossed into Chateaugay to respond to a structure fire, emphasizing that emergencies do not adhere to schedules. "If a community along the border is in need of assistance, a closed crossing means emergency crews will have to take substantive, lengthy detours to provide aid," Stec warned. "It can quite literally be the difference between life and death."

Stec reported receiving feedback from multiple fire departments and first responders expressing concern over how these changes would complicate emergency response efforts in rural communities. He concluded with a call for action: “Someone needs to tell federal officials and Democrat leaders that you can’t have a part-time border.”