East Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - Home and business owners in East Syracuse are seeing a lot more of their local police this summer. Officers are parking their cars and spending some of their shifts on foot. It's not just to save on gas costs, it's designed to cut down on crime too.
This new way of staying OnTheLookout, has the blessing of neighbors in more ways than one.
In the war against crime a new alliance has formed. You could call it a holy alliance: the police chief with his watchful eye and the pastor with his listening ear.
They've teamed up to pound the pavement and when they do walk side by side, they do get noticed.
Father Joseph Clamente, from St. Matthew’s Church, says, “Well, sometimes I wonder if they get scared off by the collar, or the gun.”
Armed with a determination to learn what troubles need to be addressed, the pastor and chief seem to be shaking things up in this village and settling things down.
“We don't discriminate. It has nothing to do with religion, or anything like that, but it's just helping people.”
Like other communities, East Syracuse has had its share of troubles when rivalry simmers among groups of young men, and when teens become disruptive.
Chief Don Morris says, “We're getting out, addressing these issues. The officers confront them, and see if there's anything we could do above and beyond the normal policing.”
Father Clamente says, “These young people, no matter what they may be involved in, always come to me, greet me and afford me much more respect than I ever thought they would. That's always a good thing, a sign of hope.”
While Father Clamente won't be joining police every time they patrol, village neighbors will be seeing officers on foot patrol from now on.
And for those doubting the safety of their community, this new police-priest patrol just may help restore their faith.
