In a concerted effort to address public safety issues as well as the safety of Utica Police officers, the following measures have been in progress for some time and will be coming to fruition in the following weeks.

1. 28 tasers have been delivered and will be deployed to an initial 10 officers who already have received training in their proper use. The tasers were paid for through a Federal grant designed specifically for this purpose. It is expected that all police officers will be trained in their use and will be carrying this tool in the next few weeks.

2. The department is in the final stages of selecting cameras for police vehicles. It is anticipated that 32 cameras will be purchased. As an additional safety feature the cameras will include a global positioning system which will allow added protection for the officers.

3. The department is working closely with D.A. Scott McNamara to identify those areas where electronic surveillance through the use of pole cameras will add increasing safety to the residents of the selected areas and provide valuable information to investigators.

4. The NY State Police has again agreed to patrol, with Utica Police Officers, those areas of the city that have been most problematic in terms of crime. A zero tolerance approach, including all quality of life issues will be addressed. It is expected that State Police personnel will commence their assignment later this month. Additionally those areas identified by the citizens of our city as “hotspots,” locations where there appears to be an inordinate amount of crime related issues are occurring, will receive additional police attention.

5. Additional overtime monies will be dedicated to addressing the problem of street level drugs through the UPD Metro program, which has been very successful in the past. This is in addition to ongoing drug investigations conducted by the Oneida County Drug Task Force.

6. Chief Pylman and D.A. Scott McNamara have developed a pro-active approach to removing guns form the city streets. It is expected that the details of this plan will be released as early as next week. It differs drastically from earlier attempts to remove weapons through wholesale buybacks.

7. As a department, retirement and long term sick-leave have drastically cut into the number of personnel that are available. Additionally, it becomes difficult to find officers who are willing to work overtime which, in turn, precludes the department from providing two-man cars and foot patrols on a routine basis. On October 15, 2007, a new class of officers will begin at the Police hoped that as many as twelve police officers will be hired by the department. The current academy class, which includes eight Utica Police recruits will begin field training on September 17. Mayor Julian is in the process of attempting to increase the authorized strength of the department or provide temporary positions to address anticipated retirements in the future.

8. An active recruitment campaign is underway to hire police officers. The exam is salted November 1, 2007. Applications may be picked up at the police department or at the civil service office at City Hall.

9. Two police officers from outside agencies have requested to lateral into the UPD. One officer will begin on September 10 and the other will be interviewed that same week.

10. Members of the department including the Chief are working with District Attorney McNamara, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, and Superintendent of Schools, Marilyn Skermont and a myriad of other agencies to address the issues of youth violence and the possible emergence of gangs within the city. Another meeting to address the issues is scheduled for September 10 at the County Executive’s Officer.

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