ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A coalition of local religious groups wants to test out its own program of street level intervention to help with conflict resolution in city neighborhoods.

The group argues that police are not the best choice for these situations.

United Christian Leadership Ministries (UCLM), under Reverend Lewis Stewart, is proposing a three-year pilot program called the Rochester Community Public Safety Corps.

Targeting the northeast corner of Rochester, the group would feature uniformed members available 24-7 to respond to situations as an alternative to police. 

UCLM estimates the pilot program would cost about $2.25 million with a reallocation of police funding.

It wants that money to come from city budget funding that would normally go to the police department.

"The fact is that there's a lot of, the gap is really severely divided now between the residents and the police," said Rev. Stewart. "People do not trust the police anymore. So this would be that interim alternative, the buffer between the police and the community."

A city spokesperson said Rochester already has its Person in Crisis teams, but said in part:

"...the newly-announced City Office of Neighborhood Safety will consider UCLM’s proposal as part of its efforts to develop and implement a community-based Violence Reduction Strategy. The mayor looks forward to her upcoming discussions with Reverend Stewart regarding how to best improve public safety in our city."