Story Created:
Nov 20, 2007 at 3:04 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Nov 21, 2007 at 4:49 AM EDT
UTICA - Mayor Elect Dave Roefaro announced a public safety transition team last week; this ten name committee was comprised of people all with a background in public safety. The team met for the first time on Tuesday night, with Roefaro himself staying for only five minutes, saying he was leaving the meeting in the hands of his "team."
This new committee is separate from the one that is formed by Uticas Common Council President. The committee was formed to look at 5 major public safety issues in the city, as outlined by Mayor Elect Roefaro, with the committee reporting back to the mayor their findings..if any.
Mayor Elect Dave Roefaro stayed less than 5 minutes and turned the newly formed public safety transition team over to the chairman Bill Philips.
The first thing Philips did was introduce four new members of the committee, taking the total to 14. Community Leader Patrick Johnson, of the YWCA diversity program; Common Council Member Jim Zecca; city codes employee Phil Montana and not present was Hilda Santiego who Philips says will give input from the Latino community
The group then broke up into sub committees that will tackle the following issues:
*The growing problem of violence against police officers and putting two in cars in certain areas.
*Combing the study of both gang activity and drug activity.
*A combination of both school officials and community leaders hoping to build a better relationship with police and the community.
*A fire safety committee that will also review the 911 center staffing issues and review the placement of ambulance services throughout the city.
Councilman Philips says these studies, and changes, if there are any, will be done under the current 07 - 08 budget.
The next step is for all the sub committees to meet before the general committee meets again december 6th, the second of three the committees hoping to get in before the first of the year
RELATED STORIES:
*Earlier Coverage
*Roefaro announces Public Safety Transition Team
*Proctor Patrols successful; Public Safety Commissioner unsure of job's future
*Still Council member Roefaro: Pylman Investigation now a "common council matter; not a mayor's"
*Roefaro looks toward public safety as top priority
*Roefaro reflects on election the morning after
;)
;)
