Thank you to NYS Senator Joseph A.

Thank you to NYS Senator Joseph A. Griffo for bringing together city, county, and state leaders and law enforcement officials from Utica, Rome, and Oneida County earlier today at his office.

During the meeting, those in attendance openly discussed various methods, techniques and resources to address crime concerns and gun violence in our communities.

Sheriff Maciol was honored to join Senator Joseph Griffo, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., Undersheriff Joe Lisi, Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo, Rome Police Chief David Collins, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams, Joseph J. Popcun, executive deputy commissioner of the state Department of Criminal Justice Services, Dan O’Hara, director of the Office of Emergency Management with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and other law enforcement representatives from both Utica and Rome.

Although numerous issues were discussed, those that consumed most of the meeting included:

-Reviewing and revising state policies that have not been effective, including problematic changes to the state’s bail law and Raise the Age.

-Making structural changes to address recruitment and retention problems law enforcement agencies are facing across the state, including modifying the state’s entry-level law enforcement civil service exam to get more officers on the street.

-Continuing to work collaboratively with partners at all levels of government to coordinate the addressing of crime concerns and issues related to guns, as well as ensuring that communities have access to any additional resources that may be available.