Syracuse Mayor talks about college students returning, I-81 project, crime stats

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh was joined by Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens on Friday during his weekly community briefing covering a range of topics.

These weekly briefings began as a way to keep residents informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Syracuse is seeing recoveries outpace new coronavirus cases and businesses are continuing to open.

Walsh addressed resident concerns about college students returning to the area.

People ask me all the time how I feel a lot about students returning and I think that are colleges are an essential part of our community and our students are a part of our community

Mayor Ben Walsh, City of Syracuse

Walsh said the city is working closely with Syracuse University and LeMoyne College on a number of different fronts.

The city and universities are coordinating with area landlords and property managers to inform those individuals of the university and community’s policies, as well as helping to educate and inform their tenants.

The big concern is large gatherings and parties off campus.

There will be law enforcement collaboration between the Syracuse Police Department and University Department of Public Safety.

“As they always do, the Syracuse Police Department will enforce noise ordinance, nuisance, parties, open containers possession of legal substances. The Department of Public Safety will really be address violations, specific to COVID-19 restrictions through the student disciplinary procedures,” Walsh said.

Walsh also shared weekly COMPSTAT reports. Overall the city is seeing a 10% decrease but violent crimes are one percent above last year.

Walsh also said ghost guns are an increasing concern. He’s asking the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to prevent firearm components from being ordered without a background check for certain individuals with a criminal history.

An Interstate 81 Jobs Big Table is scheduled on August 13. This is a virtual discussion to focus on local hiring and maximizing local spending on the $2 billion infrastructure project.

Deputy Mayor Owens spoke to the success of community walks resulting in a better quality of life for residents. The city is planning to continue these walks through the summer and possibly fall months.

You can watch the full community briefing by clicking on the player below:

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