Syracuse police will not be ICE agents, Mayor Owens says in State of the City Address

Mayor Sharon Owens spoke out against ICE and the duty of the Syracuse Police Department during one of her first major speaking events since taking office.

“The men and women of the Syracuse Police Department, sworn to protect and serve the people of Syracuse, will not take on the role of immigration enforcement,” Owens said to boisterous applause in her first State of the City address Tuesday evening at Nottingham High school.

Owens began her hour-long speech by condemning the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of Customs and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

“It is cruel and unacceptable,” Owens said. “When our neighbors are treated unjustly, silence is not an option.”

Owens spoke about creating more affordable housing by increasing housing stock throughout the city and fixing old housing in disrepair.

“Creating more affordable housing options is a primary focus of my administration,” Owens said. “We must also ensure our housing stock is safe for our families – free from lead, unsafe conditions and code violations.”

Owens said she wants to use third-party companies to review large scale projects to speed up developments. She added that she is teaming up with the state government to increase the use of modular homes, which are homes that are made in a factory and shipped on site to decrease starting cost. 

Mike Durkin, the Vice President at VIP Structures, a Syracuse-based development and construction firm, said Owens focus on housing in her speech was an important message.

“There’s a huge housing need, of all levels and all sizes, affordable through market rate. There is just not enough stock. And the housing prices are just going up,” said Durkin.

Owens also said she will pressure the city council to utilize “good cause eviction” legislation, meaning landlords can only evict tenants if they break their lease rules or don’t pay rent, along with other “good cause” requirements.

Yolanda Mitchell, a Syracuse resident, attended the address. Mitchell, who studied Electrical Engineering at Syracuse University and has stayed in the city to build her career and start a family, admired Owens’ approach to making Syracuse a better place to raise a family.

Mitchell said that many people grow up and go to school in Syracuse, but leave afterwards for a more exciting place to live. Owens’ focus on revitalizing nightlife and innovation was a key point for Mitchell.

“They want a pastime. They want to do something more than just go to work, go to school, and then go home,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell said she was also inspired by Owens choice to condemn “inhumane” actions by federal immigration enforcement.

“You hear a lot of reflections of Nazi Germany and how the Jews were treated when they were taken and brought to concentration camps,” Mitchell said. And then our sad history here in America where Black people were taken back to plantations; they just wanted their freedom recognized.”

“You’re treating other people like animals,” Mitchell continued.

Owens ended her speech with a message of hope for the future. She said she envisions a city that’s fiscally stable and one where everyone has a place to live.

“Our past is our foundation, our vision will be our legacy.” Owens said. “Where people are safe, housed and prosperous in every neighborhood. My vision is for a Syracuse that is the best place to raise a family, build a life, and grow a business – and together we can make it happen.”