With the help of many partners, the City of Utica formed a committee earlier this year with the goal of trying to find ways to help stop gun violence and strengthen relations with the police. Now, several months later, they have a plan.

What You Need To Know

  • The Access and Inclusion Committee formed in Utica earlier this year
  • The committee has created an Action Plan.
  • The Action Plan focuses on youth outreach.
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"You have to bring the best people to the table, the most capable people to the table, the biggest hearts to the table, to work as hard on their passions as they can, and on as many things as you can, because even doing that you're going to fall short of the scope of the problem," said Utica's Director of City Initiatives Marques Phillips.

Utica's Access and Inclusion Committee held a Solutions Summit in the winter, their new Action Plan is a result of that meeting and further discussions and outreach.

"Most of the committee members around that Access and Inclusion Committee are very close to our community residents who are in need or who need support and are getting that feedback daily and bringing that to the table," said The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties President and CEO Alicia Dicks.

The plan includes developing a Police Athletic League so children and police can play and learn together, creating easier access to local activities, services, and educational opportunities through a newly-designed website, and promoting programs to involve kids in public safety careers.

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency members appreciate the focus on the youth.

"They need to be understood, and they need to understand the position of our police department also. They have to realize that a gun, murder, is not the solution to an argument," said Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Deputy Director Evon Erwin.

"I think we need to put more resources into opportunities and mentor programs, and anything that can benefit a community," said Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Executive Director Amy Turner.

The committee is also coordinating an advisory group to work with the Utica Police Department about engaging further with the community and looking into possible reforms.