As of Tuesday, Nov. 15, Rome police say they've responded to 283 mental health-related calls this year, a higher number than the previous three years during the same time frame.

The increase is a concern in itself. Adding to the problem: Police said there aren't enough beds for the patients who need them.

Now, Rome's police chief and mayor are calling on the state to step up.

“We don't have facilities to send them to," said Rome Mayor Jackie Izzo. "We can get them to our hospital to be triaged, but our hospital is not a psychiatric care facility. St Luke's and VA hospital system, they're normally full.”

Izzo said the police will sometimes urge people get help in Syracuse or Albany, ​but those locations aren't always options. She and Rome police said a lack of beds is also an issue for 16- and 17-year-old offenders.

“A lack of facilities to house these offenders have caused the courts to release adolescent offenders without option for detention. That is another significant problem," said Rome Police Lt. Sharon Rood.

Police said sometimes the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is forced to transport the young offenders back and forth from Long Island because there aren’t any closer beds available. City leaders are asking ​the state to invest in facilities for young offenders to stay in, and for those dealing with mental health issues to get help.

The press briefing came after Izzo said there have been complaints from a business owner about safety. Izzo and police said they’re doing what they can to keep the area safe, even though they are bound by laws that they say are causing problems and should be changed, such as bail reform and “Raise the Age.”

“We're at 2,344 arrests. That's 474 more than last year," said Rome Police Chief David Collins. "Some of these increases in arrests are related to the bail reform, the catch and release. It's you're arresting these people and you're going back out and getting these same offenders again and again and again.”

Police have ideas to further protect the community, despite the challenges.

“There's a perception by some out there that nothing is being done by the police department. I'm going to say this the farthest thing from the truth," Collins said.

Police want to modify their shifts so more cars on the streets, increase engagement in their Community Impact Unit and expand their Street Crimes Unit and Volunteers in Police Service program.

Police officers are also removing homeless encampments.

Both Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James said they would be looking at data related to cashless bail last month and have not ruled out making changes to the legislation.