Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2012 14:43:01 GMT -5
As budget cuts force police burglary unit to disband, Utica facing spike in thefts
By JOLEEN FERIS
Story Created: Jul 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM EDT
(Story Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM EDT )
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Home burglaries and car larcenies are on the rise in the city of Utica and in a stroke of the worst kind of timing, the police department's specialized burglary unit has disbanded, a victim of recent budget cuts.
From last June to June of this year, burglaries in the city are up 55%, with authorities saying that East Utica, in particular, seeing a spike. There, the number of car larcenies from June, 2009, to this June has increased more than six-fold, from two to 13.
Home burglaries in the area between Eagle and Broad streets have risen, too, from 14 in June of 2009 to 25 last month. The Chief of Police says the absence of the city's burglary unit is impacting the police department's ability to solve the crimes.
"Let's face it, the cuts and demotions, I've lost 11 investigators and as a result of that, my property crimes from year to date are up 48% from the previous year," said Utica Police Chief Mark Williams. "A lot of it, it can be said, is being driven by the economy, which could be the case, but I have less investigators now to do follow up investigations."
Deep budget cuts in the city of Utica this year have also made it more difficult for the police department to respond to every call. In order to address that, the department is looking at instituting an online reporting system for crimes not in progress.
In other words, the Utica resident who comes home to find their house has been burglarized may be asked to report the crime online instead of calling for an officer to immediately come to their home. The police chief says the online reporting system could be up and running by the end of the year.
The chief adds that many of the crimes, the car larcenies in particular, are crimes of opportunity and easily prevented. Chief Williams says hiding valuables such as electronics and purses from view goes a long way in preventing car larcenies.
Nothing like advertizing it to the scumbags who do this to people. It sure will mean that people in Utica need to beware of walking because of this.
In the meantime money is spent on parades and the Boilermaker and cutting grass in the Park System which costs additional money. We should be firing several employees in the DPW and secretaries, etc. at City Hall not cutting back on public safety. If the City cannot support its own citizens from the scum in this city that would do us harm than this City needs to reorganize.
By JOLEEN FERIS
Story Created: Jul 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM EDT
(Story Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM EDT )
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Home burglaries and car larcenies are on the rise in the city of Utica and in a stroke of the worst kind of timing, the police department's specialized burglary unit has disbanded, a victim of recent budget cuts.
From last June to June of this year, burglaries in the city are up 55%, with authorities saying that East Utica, in particular, seeing a spike. There, the number of car larcenies from June, 2009, to this June has increased more than six-fold, from two to 13.
Home burglaries in the area between Eagle and Broad streets have risen, too, from 14 in June of 2009 to 25 last month. The Chief of Police says the absence of the city's burglary unit is impacting the police department's ability to solve the crimes.
"Let's face it, the cuts and demotions, I've lost 11 investigators and as a result of that, my property crimes from year to date are up 48% from the previous year," said Utica Police Chief Mark Williams. "A lot of it, it can be said, is being driven by the economy, which could be the case, but I have less investigators now to do follow up investigations."
Deep budget cuts in the city of Utica this year have also made it more difficult for the police department to respond to every call. In order to address that, the department is looking at instituting an online reporting system for crimes not in progress.
In other words, the Utica resident who comes home to find their house has been burglarized may be asked to report the crime online instead of calling for an officer to immediately come to their home. The police chief says the online reporting system could be up and running by the end of the year.
The chief adds that many of the crimes, the car larcenies in particular, are crimes of opportunity and easily prevented. Chief Williams says hiding valuables such as electronics and purses from view goes a long way in preventing car larcenies.
Nothing like advertizing it to the scumbags who do this to people. It sure will mean that people in Utica need to beware of walking because of this.
In the meantime money is spent on parades and the Boilermaker and cutting grass in the Park System which costs additional money. We should be firing several employees in the DPW and secretaries, etc. at City Hall not cutting back on public safety. If the City cannot support its own citizens from the scum in this city that would do us harm than this City needs to reorganize.
Alan, believe me the criminals didn't need to read this to be made aware that they are home free in doing more crimes. The common council informed them of that when they made the drastic cuts in public safety. 
