Elmira police are seeking the public's help to stop drug dealers, users and other illegal activities in the city through a new initiative called Operation Halt.

The approach features a hot line -- (607) 271-HALT or 271-4258 -- and an online form. People can provide information about crimes and report suspicious activity anonymously, officials said.

"We all have seen incidents across the city. We are not going to sit back and take it," said Mayor John Tonello, who was flanked by Elmira City Council members and police during a news conference Thursday.

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