Ruminations on Gov. Hochul, radiation response and public safety

The scrutiny placed on Gov. Kathy Hochul over her response to the radiation crisis in the Town of Niagara is justified.

Complicated political theater is playing out in our face. Bruce Blakeman brought is longshot gubernatorial campaign to Niagara last week and made it a campaign event.

The people there are desperate to be taken seriously. You would be too if your home was radioactive, or you had non-aqueous liquids seeping into your sump or Speer Manufacturing carbon rods being dug up in your yard by the pool installers.

Hochul sent the commissioners of the departments of health and environmental conservation to be mugged by angry mothers a few weeks ago.

That said, in recent days, some of the Town of Niagara affected families have reported phone calls from the governor’s office. She can express compassion and empathy without creating a circus. It is more impactful than another sideshow as well as being deftly adroit. Do the right thing, support your departments heads and let every resource come to bear while not creating a self-serving shit-show.

Meanwhile, in the middle of this crisis, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino is playing his cards on the public safety crisis, apparently with the assistance of our governor.

Restaino, police chief Ligammari and an Albany Public Safety bureaucrat will host a press conference at 9:30 a.m. to talk about state investment in law enforcement technology.

The underlying tone from our Mayor will be there are currently no GIVE patrols (he will blame councilmembers Bridgette Myles and Vincent Cauley) and as an added political bonus for the mayor we had a gun involved shooting over the weekend that GIVE might have prevented.

Here’s a release from the governor’s office about today’s press conference which is at 9:30 a.m. at police headquarters on Main Street. 

Media Advisory: Niagara Falls Mayor and Police Superintendent to Highlight State Investment in Law Enforcement Technology

9:30 a.m. Monday, August 17, 2026: Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino and Police Superintendent Nicholas Ligammari will join State Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Deputy Commissioner Joe Popcun to highlight Governor Hochul’s investments in law enforcement technology and showcase the Niagara Intelligence and Crime Analysis Center. The Niagara Falls Police also will demonstrate a drone purchased with state funding.

Location:
Niagara Falls Police Department/Niagara Intelligence and Crime Analysis Center
1925 Main St.
Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14305