Utica Police & Fire Top Brass Meet With City Leaders

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Utica Common Council's Public Safety Committee met with representatives from both the Police and Fire Departments over the weekend, the committee heard how both Chiefs plan to handle the anticipated reduction of their respective ranks.

Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks explained to members of the committee that he hasn't done a "complete analysis" yet but stressed to the group that any redistribution of resources will cause neighborhood fire protection to suffer.

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams told the group that he plans on dismantling several key divisions, including the Daytime Operations Unit, the Vehicle and Traffic Division and the Metro Unit.

According to the Police Department, last year 17,000 parking tickets were handed out and if the city raises parking tickets by $10, the city could risk creating $170,000 in additional revenue. Police Chief Williams also told the group that he's already informed Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara that UPD will be pulling out of the Oneida County Drug Taskforce.