East Syracuse village leaders are being met with some resistance as they look to dissolve the local police department. A number of people spoke out against the plan at a public forum Wednesday night. Our Iris St. Meran has more.

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EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A proposal to dissolve the East Syracuse Village Police Department fell flat at a public hearing Wednesday night.

Hundreds of people packed St. Matthew's School to hear more about the plan and share their input. Many of them marched to the site beforehand in protest of the proposal.

The village is looking to abolish the police department and enter into an enhanced services agreement with the Town of DeWitt.

By some estimates, it would save the average taxpayer $250 a year. However, neighbors say they don't feel they would get the same quality of service from any department other than their own.

"They know the concerns. There are areas in the village that are problems, no doubt about it. I believe that the Town of DeWitt, there's no way that they're going to be able to handle the load that's going to bed as well as what they're covering in DeWitt," East Syracuse resident Timothy Powers said.

The next public hearing is scheduled for October 1st. If the board approves the dissolution plan, a referendum vote could be held October 16th.