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Miner's Budget Proposal Would Add Police Officers, Firefighters

Scott Willis
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WAER News

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner releases her budget proposal Tuesday, and it includes five million dollars to hire more police officers and firefighters.  As many as 25 new police officers and 25 firefighters could be on the streets starting next year. 
  Miner says it's about balancing retirements and new positions with overtime costs.  
  Miner says the city can’t hide behind its money troubles and do nothing.   Common Council majority leader Helen Hudson says unless the state or federal governments provide more resources, that’s all they can hire for right now.  

Credit Scott Willis / WAER News
/
WAER News
Common Councilors await the Mayor's announcement in the lobby outside the Mayor's office.
MINERBUDGET-HELEN.mp3
Council Majority Leader Helen Hudson says the city is doing the best it can facing what could be a serious shortage of fire and police personnel.

"It's not going to replace all the officers we're going to need, but right now, as far as our budget can tell us, this is all we can hire as a city.  If we can get some federal aid or grants, or  some state grants, then I can see us taking more classes in." 

If approved, the city would start the hiring process in May.  Hudson and her council colleagues will get a better idea of what else is...or is not in Miner's budget proposal when they start reviewing the spending plan on Wednesday.

 

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.