Common Council holds
public hearing on police report
By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA — The Common Council held a public hearing for the long anticipated vote on the Community Advisory Board Review Committee report Tuesday, Sept. 21, created in response to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's directive that police departments create a document of "best practices" by local law enforcement with input from the community.
Only two people spoke at the public hearing, both of whom were supportive of the council passing the report.
Daniel Driver said the report gave him "confidence in how hard the OPD works with few resources, but also cause for concern" and urged the council to consider more social services for those with mental health issues and addiction. He said that police officers were being put in a "untenable position where they have to arrest or interact with folks" who have some of those issues.
"There is a lot more to be done," Driver said.
Steve Ludner offered "personal gratitude and thanks" for those who worked on CABRC and suggested the council "modify some of the wording" to make "clear that the Community Police Board will have options for community engagement."
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