South Buffalo residents have called an emergency meeting for Wednesday night following a plan by the police department to no longer have a captain on the overnight shift in A District.

Common Councilmember Chris Scanlon says he will attend the meeting, and that he understands their frustration.

"All they really want is the same protections from that police department that other areas of this city are receiving, and quite frankly, it's not much to ask," Scanlon said.

Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President John Evans says the move means there will be no point person at a crime scene to fill out reports or determine whether to call in detectives from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Instead, they will have to call a captain over from another district when an issue arises.

Evans says 82 officers retired last year, and while 34 are expected to be hired this month, he says this is not a time to cut back staff.

"The department's budgeted to 803, and I believe our numbers right now are in the 740s, so there's already a strain put on the manpower as far as staffing," Evans said.

Buffalo Police Spokesperson, Captain Jeff Rinaldo says every January and July, the department looks at staffing adjustments.

"The department does adjust manpower, whether it’s within a unit or squad or citywide based on calls for service and the needs of the department," Rinaldo said.

Scanlon says Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood told him Friday that the move was based on statistics.

He asked Lockwood or other senior police staff to attend Wednesday's community meeting.

It'll take place at 7 p.m. at Southside Elementary.