Destiny USA, Syracuse police say Flock cameras are preventing, solving crime

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Destiny USA on Thursday said its license-plate reading (LPR) cameras have “proven to be a powerful tool in preventing and solving crime in the Syracuse community.” The announcement comes six months into its partnership with the Syracuse Police Department and Atlanta, Georgia–based Flock Safety Flock Safety cameras have scanned nearly 400,000 vehicles […]

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Destiny USA on Thursday said its license–plate reading (LPR) cameras have “proven to be a powerful tool in preventing and solving crime in the Syracuse community.”

The announcement comes six months into its partnership with the Syracuse Police Department and Atlanta, Georgia–based Flock Safety

Flock Safety cameras have scanned nearly 400,000 vehicles per month since the program began in August 2023, Destiny USA said. They’ve provided law enforcement with real-time data to identify the make, model, color, and license plate of each vehicle entering and exiting every vehicle entrance at the complex.

“Thanks to the Flock cameras and our partnership with the Syracuse Police Department, we’re literally meeting a small group of trespassed individuals and repeat shoplifters at the door — before they enter the property, and that’s an absolute game-changer in our efforts to provide a safe environment to everyone that visits Destiny USA,” Stephen Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group, said in a news release. “What’s more, our cameras are also enhancing the ways law enforcement agencies like the Syracuse Police Department are able to prevent and solve crime, and that’s good news for our entire community.”

Destiny USA provided a few examples of how the cameras have worked as a crime deterrent, including the prevention of shoplifting. The Flock Safety cameras have worked in “identifying and stopping shoplifters in their tracks.”

The real-time alerts sent to law enforcement have enabled quick responses to the arrival of these individuals on property, leading to apprehensions and reduced theft.

Destiny USA cited one example where after months of a “highly coordinated shoplifting campaign” by a group of individuals, license–plate data from one of the associated vehicles used was entered into the Flock Safety database.

The next time the individuals involved arrived on-site at Destiny USA, both mall security and the Syracuse Police Department were immediately notified, and the suspects “immediately apprehended.”

Oneida County Tourism launches revamped beverage trail

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UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Tourism (OCT), the official tourism-promotion agency for Oneida County, has launched a refreshed, digital version of the Heart of NY Beverage Trail highlighting local wineries and breweries. The mobile, interactive trail — accessible on the OCT website — features 10 partners throughout the county. Those taking part in the year-long

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Oneida County Tourism has launched a new digital version of its Heart of NY Beverage Trail featuring craft breweries and wineries. (Photo credit: Oneida County Tourism)

UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Tourism (OCT), the official tourism–promotion agency for Oneida County, has launched a refreshed, digital version of the Heart of NY Beverage Trail highlighting local wineries and breweries.

The mobile, interactive trail — accessible on the OCT website — features 10 partners throughout the county. Those taking part in the year-long promotion are encouraged to responsibly visit participating locations to win an array of prizes including a sticker, hat, T-shirt, and hoodie.

“This new way to experience the beverage trail is easy and user friendly,” OCT President Sarah Foster Calero said in a news release. “Users can sort through locations by category and see coupons. Earning prizes is now more attainable for visitors, too. In the past, you had to visit every location to receive a T-shirt. Ultimately, a major goal of OCT is to bring visitors here. If people are in town for a visit or to attend an event, it’s still possible to visit a couple of spots and earn some type of prize.”

The updated beverage trail launched on Dec. 19, 2023. People can sign up on the website, following prompts to enter their phone number and email address.

The trail is a free, mobile-optimized web application. It’s not an app and is delivered to participants via SMS and email. Those participating check into trail locations on their phone using GPS technology and earn points for each check-in. Then they can redeem those points for beverage trail-themed prizes via the web application. Prizes are sent through a third-party company, so participants don’t need to redeem in person or be in the area to get their prize.

Bandwango, a technology company in the travel space, designed and executive the pass.

“We’re excited to switch to Bandwango,” Woodland Farm Brewery Owner/Brewer Keith Redhead said. “It’s an easier and more interactive way to explore the trail and collect points. My favorite part is that there are different prizes to choose from and rewards for weekend travelers who may only be able to hit up a few spots, but bigger rewards for those who check out all of the breweries and wineries across months of a year. A big plus is the discounts that many members are offering.”

Amy Rizzuto, owner of Villa Verona Vineyard, shared in the excitement for the new beverage trail. “The process is so much easier for the customers to check in and for all trail partners to be able to add discounts. Plus, there are great deals and multiple prizes. We can’t wait to many new and existing customers come into the winery and bistro,” she said.

For a full list of locations on the beverage trail, visit www.oneidacountytourism.com/what-to-do/visitor-trails/heart-of-ny-craft-beverage-trail/.

Mackenzie Hughes elects new managing partner

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse–based law firm Mackenzie Hughes LLP announced it has elected a new managing partner. The firm elected attorney Richard Engel for the role. He succeeds attorney Anne Ruffer, who stepped down as managing partner on Dec. 31, after having served in the role for six years. As managing partner, Engel will oversee

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Richard Engel (Photo credit: Mackenzie Hughes)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse–based law firm Mackenzie Hughes LLP announced it has elected a new managing partner.

The firm elected attorney Richard Engel for the role. He succeeds attorney Anne Ruffer, who stepped down as managing partner on Dec. 31, after having served in the role for six years.

As managing partner, Engel will oversee Mackenzie Hughes’ operations, chair the executive committee, and guide the strategic vision of the law firm, per its announcement. He joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2003.

Engel concentrates his law practice in business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, banking, commercial development, and IDA financing. He also handles securities litigation and arbitration before FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), private securities offerings, and federal and state regulatory compliance relating to securities and corporate governance.

During her time as Mackenzie Hughes managing partner, Ruffer oversaw the day-to-day firm operations, worked in supporting the firm’s various practice areas, and managed its fiscal responsibility.

Anne Ruffer (Photo credit: Mackenzie Hughes)

She also “successfully navigated” Mackenzie Hughes through the pandemic and its many challenges, the firm said. Ruffer has served in the firm’s management since 2007, when she was elected to join the firm’s executive committee.

In addition, while managing partner, Ruffer continued her law practice providing legal services in the firm’s estates department. She will continue her law practice, where she’ll work with clients on their estate planning, estates and trust administration, special needs and elder law planning, guardianships, estate litigation, and related matters, Mackenzie Hughes said.

Besides the change in managing partner, the firm also announced that attorney James Nicoll will serve as chair of the business department. Nicoll joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2014 and is a partner in the firm’s business department.

CenterState CEO report finds 55 percent of area firms expect to boost hiring this year

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A new report from CenterState CEO finds 55 percent of more than 165 businesspeople surveyed expect an increase in jobs and hiring in 2024 — down 17percent from 2023 projections. It also found nearly three quarters of those surveyed (72 percent) anticipate increased sales or revenue in 2024, down 1 percent from

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Pathfinder Bancorp pays dividend of 9 cents a share in Q4

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OSWEGO — Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBHC), the bank holding company of Pathfinder Bank, recently paid a quarterly cash dividend of 9 cents per share on its common stock. The fourth quarter 2023 dividend was paid on Feb. 2 to all shareholders of record on Jan. 12, according to an announcement from James A. Dowd,

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Community Bank System elects new independent director

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

DeWITT — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) recently announced the election of Michele Sullivan to its board of directors as a new independent director, effective Feb. 1. Sullivan is a retired partner of Crowe LLP, a Chicago–based public accounting, consulting, and technology firm, serving in its consulting practice specializing in the financial-services sector. She

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DeWITT — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) recently announced the election of Michele Sullivan to its board of directors as a new independent director, effective Feb. 1.

Sullivan is a retired partner of Crowe LLP, a Chicago–based public accounting, consulting, and technology firm, serving in its consulting practice specializing in the financial-services sector. She worked with top U.S. banks and global banks, as well as mid-market insurance carriers and fintech companies, providing consulting services on risk, compliance, internal audit, technology, strategic acquisitions, merger integration, and governance matters. Sullivan is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a certified risk management professional (CRMA).

Sullivan joined Crowe in 1992 and, prior to her retirement in March 2023, served on the firm’s board of directors for seven years and its audit and risk committee. During her time on Crowe’s board, she developed and led the Corporate Governance Strategic Initiative.

Sullivan’s election expands Community Bank System’s board to 14 directors, 12 of whom are independent. She was also appointed to the board of directors of Community Bank, N.A., the company’s wholly-owned banking subsidiary. She will also serve on the board’s audit committee and risk committee.

“Her audit, compliance, governance and risk management experience as a partner at Crowe are valuable additions to the board,” Eric E. Stickels, Community Bank System board chair, said in a news release “[Sullivan’s] appointment reflects the Board’s continued focus on enhancing the Board’s depth of experience and diversity to ensure an appropriate level of expertise and perspective to provide effective oversight of the Company and its subsidiaries.”

Sullivan graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has completed board and corporate governance course work through Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management executive development program.

Community Bank System is a diversified financial-services company focused on four main business lines — banking, benefits administration, insurance services, and wealth management — with total assets of $15.4 billion. Its banking subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A., is among the nation’s 100 largest banks and operates more than 200 branches across upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and western Massachusetts.

AmeriCU Credit Union formally unveils renovated Auburn branch

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AUBURN — Rome–based AmeriCU Credit Union announced it recently unveiled its newly remodeled Auburn financial center (branch office) that blends technology with personal service. The credit union’s employees and community members celebrated the renovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the branch office, located at 295 Grant Ave., on Jan. 17. New teller pods and interactive

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OPINION: On Mental Wellness, Patients & Providers Need Our Support

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As New York State budget negotiations begin to take a more concrete shape, it becomes even more important to keep pushing to support policy initiatives that can do the most for New Yorkers. [Now that we have closed] out Mental Wellness Month, which was in January, I want to reiterate that adequate resources for our mental-health care facilities, human-services workers, and resources dedicated to fighting the state’s ongoing opioid crisis are critical to strengthening New York from top to bottom.

“We can all benefit from better mental hygiene and a stronger commitment from the state to support adequate mental-health services.”

Mental hygiene impacts every segment of our lives. From education to the economy and our criminal-justice system, better mental-health services create happier, more effective, and safer New Yorkers. I was pleased the executive-budget proposal highlighted these services. Specifically, a planned $5 million to support recovery community centers, funding adjustments for rising costs at residential-housing units, and additional funding for employment access are all a great start. But now, we must find a way to make these proposals reality.

Mental-health services have been a priority for the Assembly Minority Conference for several years. We have made great strides understanding and addressing some of these challenges in two of our major task-force initiatives dealing with school safety and veterans, and we are eager to build on that momentum in the coming weeks.

There are also lots of other great ways we can all recognize Mental Wellness Month, including awareness initiatives like the Little Things Mental Health Campaign, which aims to “highlight little things an individual can do to improve their mental health, including keeping active, talking about problems, drinking less alcohol, and eating and sleeping well.” Like most problems, taking small steps can lead to bigger, more meaningful changes later.

We can all benefit from better mental hygiene and a stronger commitment from the state to support adequate mental-health services. I remain hopeful the final iteration of next year’s budget includes the much-needed funding boosts proposed, and I look forward to working with the governor and my legislative colleagues to deliver a spending package that prioritizes the needs of all New Yorkers — especially those struggling with their mental health.

William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.

People news: SUNY Poly names new director of university marketing and communications

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MARCY, N.Y. — Sara Furlong has joined SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) as its new director of university marketing and communications. She brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education, ad agency, consulting, and industry settings to the role, the university announced. Prior to joining SUNY Poly, Furlong spent more than six years

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MVHS drops mask requirement

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UTICA, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) announced it will no longer require masking at its facilities, effective immediately. MVHS’s infection-prevention team has tracked community transmission levels of COVID-19 in Oneida County and surrounding areas, as well as among patients and staff. At this time, transmission levels have dropped enough where masking is

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