Staff Writer

ONEONTA — The city of Oneonta Police Department will receive a $25,000 boost to help cover its overtime and drug-enforcement costs.

State Sen. James Seward announced the grant Thursday at city hall.

Oneonta Police Chief John Donadio said the department needs the extra cash.

This year, like last, the department got a $150,000 budget for overtime expense, Donadio said.

"Based on what we know, we will probably be over that amount," he said. "And this is before the busy season starts."

The busy season, he said, begins in August when college students return.

"We have to post extra foot patrols, especially on Water Street, to prevent fights," he said.

Donadio said along with added patrols, drug investigations, such as an April 24 bust, also eat up overtime hours.

Police arrested 12 suspects on the morning of April 24 who were allegedly involved in drug dealing and gang violence. State police helped in the investigation and subsequent raid, an assistance for which Donadio said he was grateful.

Last year, Donadio said, the department racked up $180,000 in overtime costs, $30,000 beyond the budget limit.

The $25,000 grant, was left over from last year's federal-level Edward Byrne program. New York state was given authority to distribute its portion of the federal money but, Seward said, it could only be spent on law-enforcement initiatives.

City Aldermen Sean Farrell and Michael Nader said they, along with Donadio and Mayor Kim Muller approached Seward a year ago about getting extra funding to help fight drugs in the city.

Seward said the money would be available "soon." The city must file a few papers first, he said.

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Jack Mazurak can be reached at jmazurak@thedailystar.com or (607) 441-7218.