Binghamton Police Foot Patrols Deployed in City Neighborhoods
Binghamton residents may notice more police officers walking near their homes in the coming weeks.
Mayor Jared Kraham said the additional foot patrols are part of a community policing initiative. He told WNBF News it's part of the effort to reduce gun violence and to respond to growing concerns over crime in neighborhoods.
The mayor said the city has not reduced the number of car patrols. He said there now is an additional opportunity for police officers "to work overtime shifts where they're walking the beat on neighborhood streets." He said the officers on foot patrol are able to interact with city residents who "may be out mowing their lawn (or) hanging out on their front porch."
Kraham said the approach can have "a positive proactive type of communication with them." He said the initiative appears to be "wildly successful" based on the feedback he's received from police officers who have worked the shifts.
The mayor said "it's very seldom in cities across America that you see beat cops walking neighborhood streets." He said "it is an old-school style of policing that works" that has returned in Binghamton.
Kraham said the approach "builds a relationship between the community and the police." He said the city will employ the approach during "the nice-weather months" in Binghamton.
WATCH: Mayor Kraham discusses the ongoing community policing efforts in Binghamton.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.