ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo says downtown is safe. 

Cantelmo tells 607 News Now that increased efforts by the Ithaca Police Department to enforce rules on the Commons reflects a stronger police force. 

While the mayor notes IPD’s staff levels have picked up, that was not the case a few short years ago.

In July, IPD began enforcement of city ordinances, like a ban on smoking and vaping and no bicycles on the Commons, and Chief Tom Kelly recently told 607 News Now that enforcement will still around after summer is over.

FULL INTERVIEW: Mayor Robert Cantelmo on Ithaca’s Morning News