An anti-crime organization is circulating a petition asking Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner to re-instate police patrols on the City's Southwest side.  The Citizens for a Crime Free Community has collected about a thousand signitures according to Robin Potter-Butler.  "Our police officers in Syracuse are undermanned and overpowered by drugs, guns and a criminal element."  Potter-Butler told CNY Central's Jim Kenyon.  She claims budget cuts have forced Police Chief Frank Fowler to deploy patrols away from her neighborhood on Hudson Street. 

The organization's founder, Ella Mae Potter says with fewer patrols, crime has increased. "I've lived here 50 years and I've never seen it as worse as it's been." Potter said.

Syracuse Chief of Staff Bill Ryan says he understands Potter's concerns.   Ryan defended Chief Fowler's deployment policy.  Ryan says the size of the Syracuse Police force has fluctuated over the years from a high of 506 officers to a low of about 450.  Right now however, Ryan says there are 491 members of the Syracuse Police Department which is close to full strength.  Ryan says the current number of officers includes 22 recruits undergoing training in the Police Academy.  He says those recruits will be patrolling the streets in January.    Ryan also points out that Chief Fowler has reassigned a number of officers from desk duty to "put more boots on the street."

Click here to read the text of the petition.

If you're interested in signing the petition,  Call the Citizens for a Crime Free Community at 476-8848.

Would you sign the petition,  or do you feel the number of patrol officers in Syracuse is adequate?