One Central New York lawmaker says it's time for the state to support local law enforcement.
Sen. Joseph Griffo announced Thursday that $105,000 in state funding is being used to buy new technology for the Utica Police Department.
This funding supplements the money the UPD received from Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi to purchase a new mobile command center.
The money will be used to buy laptops and other technology for the unit.
The department will also purchase three new license plate readers.
This announcement comes on the heels of two law enforcement officers being killed in the line of duty this month.
Sen. Griffo says it's up to the state to help protect those men and women in blue.
"We need to ensure that we're doing more than just telling them that we support them," Griffo (R, Senate-Rome) said. "We have to demonstrate that by directing the appropriate resources. So in this case, we're providing them technology to do their job. In addition, I believe we need to do more to safeguard them."
Griffo is encouraging the state to equip all law enforcement vehicles with bullet proof glass — something they've begun doing in New York City.