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Miner's State of the City includes more police & high-tech infrastructure improvements

Ellen Abbott
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WRVO News

Amid innovations that address crumbling infrastructure, creation of new low income housing and plans to synchronize traffic light timing, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, in her State of the City address Thursday night, announced plans for new fire and police classes this year.  

Last year, 36 Syracuse police officers retired. That’s one reason Miner, in her annual speech, announced that on March 7, the city will be swearing in a class of 25 new police recruits.

 

"These recruits will begin the six month academy, followed by 12 weeks of field training before they are assigned to duty."
 

But one community activist says that’s not enough. Rich Puchalski, of Syracuse United Neighbors, says an understaffed department is hurting neighborhoods.

‘Last I heard from the police department, they were down 70.  And it takes about a year when you put a class on, for the guys to be out on patrol. That is not realistic,” said Puchalski.

Credit Ellen Abbott / WRVO News
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WRVO News
Rich Puchalski, of Syracuse United Neighbors, and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner at the annual State of the City address Thursday evening.

Miner says there are fiscal constraints when it comes to hiring new cops, adding there is more to crime fighting than more officers on the streets.

"It’s not just about numbers of police officers; it’s about the relationships you have with your neighborhoods, the leadership of your police departments, and the techniques that you use,” said the mayor.

Miner points to progress in like Cuse Cares and a gun violence initiative as community programs that thwart crime. She also announced a new class of 25 fire fighters will be trained this year.

Infrastructure

Miner outlined several new initiatives in her speech to use technology to spot water main breaks before they happen, and make it easier to fix leaks.

“This technology will allow us to be very precise. it will allow us to dig at the exact place where we need to, which means we will  not have to interrupt service or disrupt as many people as we’ve had to do.”  

Among the technology -- new sensors to detect leaks in water mains and cracks and potholes in roads, which will allow repairs to be prioritized. The plans were developed by the city’s new I-team, which was funded through a grant by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Tax breaks for developers

Miner also created a picture of two cities -- one that boasts of millions of dollars in development projects, and another that is exemplified by school children wearing winter boots held together by duct tape. So  Miner says that’s why she wants to make sure that economic growth is shared between the haves and the have nots.

“The truth is, our progress is reaching new heights, and new developments continue across our city neighborhoods.  But while we foster a more active environment for investment, we must also hold developers more accountable to ensure consistency, transparency and the tall or our residents directly benefit from lucrative tax breaks, not just the lucky few.”  

These comments come as city hall awaits a judge’s decision regarding a city lawsuit against the developer of Syracuse’s Inner Harbor. The city claims that COR development promised it wouldn’t ask for tax breaks for a multi-million dollar project. The developer ultimately was awarded tax breaks by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency.

Affordable Housing

A downtown affordable housing unit in the city of Syracuse is getting a makeover. Miner announced that a new financing agreement will clear the way for $40 million in improvements of Clinton Plaza, a 305-unit affordable housing facility that towers over the city’s trendy Armory Square neighborhood.

“The exterior renovations will better tie this building in to Armory Square and other downtown assets. But more importantly, this investment will provide much needed upgrades while guaranteeing the affordability of these apartments.”

Miner says this property hasn’t seen any investment in 45 years, and 60 of its units aren’t able to be used. Miner says quality and affordable housing is crucial to building a greater city.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.