City of Oneida Police Department Request for Funding Regarding the Initiative to Reduce Violent Crimes Within Rural Community

The City of Oneida, located in Madison County in the State of New York, is the largest municipality in the county.  Oneida spans roughly 22 square miles, consisting of urban and rural settings, and has an average yearly population of about 11,000 residents. Oneida is nearly equidistant between the two large metropolitan areas of the City of Syracuse and the City of Utica in Central New York.  There is distinct crime escalation within our City due to the increased drug activity and persons suffering from mental health events.  All of which have a clear nexus to the increase in violent crimes.

The City of Oneida Police Department, which qualifies and meets the definition of a rural law enforcement agency, is requesting $150,000 in funding through the BJA FY 21 Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative for Law Enforcement Agencies (RVCRI).  The bulk of the funding requested will be used for specific overtime enforcement and engagement details.  All of the enforcement and engagement details will be documented via local reports for analysis of their impact within specific areas of the City.  Each quarter during the 36-month performance duration, there will be analysis of the engagement and enforcement efforts conducted.  Through this assessment, the department will engage the community stakeholders and City government to implement physical and environmental needs which contribute to crimes occurring in specific areas.  The remainder of the funding will be used to support installation of identified physical and environmental needs within the community to sustain and support the actions taken by police (i.e. cameras, lighting etc).

This agency is committed to adhering to guidelines in the RVCRI grant solicitation.  This includes developing/updating reporting methods and policies to ensure quantitative data is obtained.  We’re committed to measuring violent crimes occurring within our community and outcomes subsequent implemented grant funded strategies.  This agency will measure offense reports prior to, during and after the award period to assist in determining effectiveness.  Our agency is committed to working closely with a TTA provider to ensure successful implementation and development of programs and strategies.  Our agency will assess strategies and adjust as needed.  Data obtained during the performance period will be shared.                

 The City of Oneida will be the immediate beneficiary from the awarded funds.  However, the information gained through citizen interactions within the City of Oneida will have a far reaching and lasting ripple effect among central New York.