UTICA — On Jan. 6, Utica mayoral candidate Robert Cardillo participated in a ride along with the Utica Police Department during their evening shift of 4 p.m. to midnight. Cardillo was assigned to Sgt. Tyler Mowers for the evening.

During the ride along, Cardillo observed as Mowers responded to three shootings, a serious traffic accident where Cardillo witnessed the officers directing traffic to help manage the incident scene and attended to an elderly woman requiring CPR.

Cardillo, noting a “shocking” and “out of control” cycle of violence and crime in Utica, expressed an urgent need to do all he can as mayor to support the law enforcement and emergency management services.

“I can’t imagine the physical and mental stress that police go through daily in our city,” Cardillo said. “This ride along illustrates the need of the public to better understand the challenges these heroes face.”

“It was a profound and enlightening experience. I am proud of our police force, and I am determined to help strengthen our law enforcement and emergency management services as mayor.” Cardillo added, “I learned a lot and have a newfound appreciation for the hard work that our law enforcement and first responders do day and night.”

Cardillo, as a former HUD official during the George W. Bush administration, Emergency Management Director/Coordinator for Southeast Region and professor of Disaster Preparedness for Georgetown University, remarked that he has made numerous relationships with multiple jurisdictions and first responders during his service responding to Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, and “planning, mobilizing equipment, supplies and services with police and health professionals” are all skills he has a strong grasp of.

Cardillo went on to honor Police Chief Mark Williams and Sgt. Mowers on their competence, professionalism and empathy for the citizens of Utica.

Cardillo said, “I am grateful that Chief Williams allowed me to have this opportunity, and I am appreciative of the fact that Sgt. Mowers was generous with his time and willing to answer each question I asked.”