By Allison Ogorek
Buffalo, NY – Erie County's is getting a high-tech makeover.
County Executive Joel Giambra unveiled a new video conferencing system Monday. It will primarily be used by the county's criminal justice system for attorney/client conferences, arraignments and some pre-trial proceedings.
Video conferencing was originally recommended in the "Who Does What Commission" report two years ago. President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Andrew Rudnick, said it could save taxpayers up to $600,000 a year.
"This is a no-brainer," Rudnick said. "This has a huge return on investment. It improves the quality and integrity of the judicial services that are being delivered, and it's part of a commitment of improving the way local governments function and relate to each other and making those improvements be as cost-effective as possible so that we can lower our taxes."
The will be operational at six sites: Family Court, Probation, the Holding Center, the Correctional Facility, City Court and the Rath Building.