NORWICH – At last week's City of Norwich Joint Committee meeting, Alderman David Zieno asked members of the common council to consider alternatives for city police coverage of local events.

"I know that right now we have quiet a shortage in our police department," said Zieno. "I imagine that these events, although they're incredibly significant to the City of Norwich, just put an added strain on an already serious situation."

Recently, three new police officers enrolled in the police academy after accepting positions with the Norwich Police Department. However, the training takes about six months to complete. Zieno expressed concern about the events coming up before the new officers start.

"They are not going to be available for the next six months. So probably in the second half of the year our man power is going to change a little bit, I'm just thinking about the events that come up during the first half of the year. Is there maybe another way for some of these events to be handled with some sort of outside security, I'm just wondering if there's any other option," said Zieno.