The best way to improve relations between Albany Police and residents was the focus of the Common Council's Public Safety Committee meeting held Wednesday night.

The Community Police Review Board and Albany Community Police Advisory Committee work to do just that, but both groups feel they aren't making as much of a difference as they could.

They chalk it up to a lack of knowledge by the public about their existence as a resource.

Committee Chair Dorcey Applyrs said one of the most difficult issues is the internal politics at play within these two groups.

"The reality is we all want to make sure our residents are safe and have some level of trust when it comes to the police department," Applyrs said.  "And we can't accomplish that if we have barriers and challenges that the volunteer members of these bodies experience and nobody is addressing them."

With regard to the Community Police Review Board, Applyrs said the recommendations that come back to the council will be used to craft changes to legislation governing that body.