By Ashley Hassett
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Common Council members heard from the City's top police brass at Thursday's budget hearings.
Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said his department continues to work toward reducing crime and improving the quality of life for city residents.
But South District lawmaker Michael Kearns asked about overtime costs for city police.
"What was the overtime cost to the Police Department last year?", asked Kearns.
"$9.2 million dollars I believe was budgeted last year. We've asked for a minor increase of a $200,000, which I believe they did put in. We will be taking over the cell block and we calculated costs for overtime that may occur there," said Derenda.
Buffalo Police will now resume operations of the City cell-block back from Erie County. Dereneda believes it will be a big cost savings to the city.
The Common Council also questioned police about improving the quality of life for residents. Derenda said officers are letting their presence be known throughout the city.
Unnecessary noise is of particular concern to both the department and lawmakers. Council President David Franczyk says he would like tickets to be given to drivers who blare their car speakers.
"Cities are louder places we know that, but when you have these vehicles lined with those gigantic speakers with that horrific pounding they know their insulting everybody. They get away with it for the most part, and I bet that in many of those cases you'll find smaller and larger violations including drugs in some cases maybe weapons in othersm," said Francyzk.
The Police Commission said he believes issuing tickets and confiscating speakers is one way to crack down on drivers.