Syracuse Regional Airport Authority moves to cut police overtime by hiring private security. Syracuse Hancock International Airport (KSYR) Syracuse, New York.

The new Syracuse Regional Airport Authority voted 10-0 Friday to hire private security at Hancock Airport.

The move starts the process to cut back the airport's reliance on overtime paid to Syracuse police officers. The city would continue to provide four officers to the airport for each shift.

The change needs the approval of the Common Council and the federal Transportation Security Administration.

The authority held its second meeting after its creation in August. It is charged with running the airport owned by the city.

Bill Fisher, deputy Onondaga County executive and chairman of the authority's board of directors, said the change to private guards could save as much as $2 million out of $4 million in security costs each year.

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