UPD is one of 17 agencies to receive funding to help lower crime
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: July 17, 2012
Police in our area are on the lookout for suspects involved in two shootings in Utica Monday night.
But, as they continue to fight crime under budget constraints, the Utica Police Department is getting a much needed monetary infusion from the state.
The UPD is one of 17 other police agencies across the state to receive funding through operation impact. It's a grant to help target gun crime and domestic violence. The UPD will be receiving over $400,000. The UPD along with their partners, like the NY State Police are already planning on how to use to the grant money.
"The burglary rate in the City of Utica as well as outside the City of Utica is rising. We recognize that. We report it on a monthly basis so we know it's going on and we have to take different steps in taking the burglary trend down," said Capt. Francis Coots of the NY State Police.
Last year, the jurisdictions that received the impact funding experienced nearly a four percent reduction in crime except burglary.
