UTICA - Two officers per police car has been a hot topic of debate for many months in the City of Utica. And today, months of planning have come to fruition.

"This is a 24-hour, 365 day a year plan," said Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella. "A plan that takes effect this coming Monday. Two police officers per car in designated high crime areas of the city, but with some room for daily decisions. This is a flexible plan that will allow the uniformed patrol division to assign two police officers per car for multiple cars to any area of need."

A need that has been debated for months, brought to the forefront after the death of Officer Thomas Lindsey and highlighted with the attack of Dzenan Sabanovic - that attack caught on tape.

After three months of targeted research, members of the Common Council and both city and police officials came up with a plan. Take 7-8 officers from desk jobs and other departments, like community policing and add them to the patrol cars.

And then supplement some of the police desk jobs with civilians.

The move may help protect the men and women in blue but something did have to give.

"We still have to try to accomplish the work they were doing previously," said Captain Clayton Stephens with the Utica Police Department. "We are looking into every method possible to complete those tasks."

We spoke with some who say that problem may only be temporary.

"Waiting for them to get out of the academy, we will start now and you will be able to man those units back up and we will be at full strength again," said Sgt. Tom Brady, president of the Utica PBA.

And, of course, no one can predict an officer attack or guarantee two men will prevent a tragedy from happening but Mayor Roefaro says he hopes the message is clear.

"We want to send a clear and concise message that we will not tolerate and these are just some of the first steps we are taking for the officers perhaps a sense of security," said Mayor David Roefaro. "To have someone watching your back is just comfort to know you're a little safer to know than if you are there by yourself."

Now money for the civilians that may fill the vacated police desk positions - that money has been earmarked in the budget.