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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse's Police Chief says he is disappointed that Syracuse schools have decided to end the use of police officers in the city's middle schools. The school district ended the program in a drive to cut costs.

Police Chief Frank Fowler, facing his own budget review by Syracuse Common Councilors, says his department cannot fund the resource officers on their own. Fowler says middle school poses the greatest danger for young people in terms of recruitment into gangs. And, he says, having an officer in the hallways of city schools offers the best hope for turning a young life around.

“It's just going to help all the way around. Maybe they're able to deter some of these young people from joining these gangs or getting involved in a life of crime, but they're no longer in the schools now,” Fowler said.

The resource officers do remain on patrol in the city's high schools.