DUFFY EXPECTS HELP FROM PATAKI

Rochester Police Chief Robert Duffy thanked Gov.
George Pataki for offering state resources to assist police
departments throughout New York, but Duffy said he did not know
specifically what type of assistance that would be.

"This offer today will enhance what we are trying to accomplish,"
Duffy said during an impromptu news conference Wednesday afternoon at
the Public Safety Building. "The next stage for us will be to sit down
and discuss what we can do specifically. Whatever becomes of this
promise today will be good for us."

City police have concentrated on drug-related crimes, especially
homicides. Duffy said those problems are complex and have evolved over
time and cannot be solved by any single program.

"We're dealing with the crack babies of the '80s," Duffy said.

Duffy said he expected the state would send troopers - uniformed and
undercover - to Rochester to help curb the violence here, particularly
drug-related crime.

Duffy also said that help could come in the way of enhanced technology
and assistance in investigations and crime analysis.

Troopers and Monroe County sheriff's deputies have patrolled city
streets with Rochester police since 2002.

Those efforts will not be compromised by the state's new offer, Duffy
said.

State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett said his department formed
in 1917 to enforce the law in parts of the state that didn't otherwise
have law enforcement.

"In these times, the problems that are besetting these communities are
outstripping the communities in dealing with them," Bennett said. "The
state is offering its services."The troopers coming to help locally
would be coming from a pool of 4,600 uniformed troopers, Bennett said.
"We're ready to go immediately," he added.