Accomplishments
Community Engagement Officers
In January 2024, we increased our footprint with new CEOs who patrol the downtown area every day, usually on bicycle or foot patrol. In January 2025, they were joined by a peer-to-peer counselor who is embedded with our CEOs on a daily basis and the counselor is also co-located at City Hall to increase collaboration. This is an historic partnership that was developed with RISE, one of our leading non-profits. The objective for DPS is to increase the presence of the CEOs downtown to prevent crime, and at the same time, attempt to provide assistance to those who have substance abuse and mental health issues. RISE already has a tremendous working relationship with our Outreach Court.
Fire Station #3
It was a priority to open Fire Station #3 prior to the Belmont in 2024 so we could utilize the new and modern Command Post as well as provide essential services to our Eastern Ridge neighborhoods. This was accomplished and the Belmont was a tremendous success (see Belmont Festival below).
Additionally, this new Fire House has increased morale within the Fire Department. Many of the Firefighters have commented to me on how fortunate they are to work in new modern space, with updated technology.
Belmont Festival
The Belmont Festival attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Saratoga Springs and created a public safety challenge that required advanced preparation for several months.
In April, 15 agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department (SSPD) and the Saratoga Springs Fire Departments (SSFD), NYRA, FBI, NYS Police and the Saratoga County Sheriff, participated in a joint Tabletop Exercise (TTX). The TTX was led by the FBI’s Critical Incident Respond Group (CIRG) out of Washington D.C. and included various hypothetical scenarios and encouraged discussion and communication between agencies. The TTX was well received by all in attendance.
In May, SSPD also hosted a presentation for our business community to educate them on indicators of both criminal and terrorism matters. This presentation was conducted by New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), SSPD, and the FBI and was well received by our business community. The presentation by DHSES focused on the “See something, Say Something” message.
Additionally, the SSFD and SSPD Command Staffs conducted weekly meetings with all our federal, state, and local partners to coordinate and finalize staffing and planning.
As a result of this tremendous effort and preparation made by the DPS, the Belmont Festival was an enormous success, including a special concert on Broadway which attracted an additional 15,000 to 20,000 guests.
Metal Detectors
Due to an increase in negative political discourse at our City Council meetings, as well as recommendations made by our insurance carrier, the SSPD initiated screening, in the form of a metal detection system, at all our City Council meetings. This was simply done in an overabundance of caution to ensure our citizens and guests are safe.
FBI Safe Streets Task Force
The City of Saratoga Springs, like many communities in the United States, is experiencing an increase in fentanyl trafficking which creates numerous Public Safety issues. To address this threat, the Saratoga Springs Police Department (SSPD) has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) Safe Street Task Force.
The Task Force is a collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and will provide additional resources and tools for the SSPD to address this threat. The Task Force’s goal is to prosecute major interstate theft, drug conspiracy and firearm offenses in Saratoga Springs.
Collection Boxes
The City Council voted to enter into an agreement with the Downtown Special Assessment District permitting the installation of six Collection Boxes at various locations throughout the City. The objective of the boxes is to raise money to support local agencies, such as SOS and RISE, to help people get off the street and into safe housing. The new boxes have QR codes so both SOS and RISE can receive the money electronically. The boxes also have a message on the back of the box which was developed and agreed upon by both SOS and RISE and states, “There is a better way to give…Contribute to the solution…Don’t Encourage Panhandling.”
Unregulated Taxi Initiatives
Based on complaints from the public, we started a new initiative and detail in the vicinity of Frank Sullivan Place and Siro’s Restaurant, to address Unregulated Taxi activity, and two individuals were arrested. Additionally, we have installed new cameras in the area, and we are going to install new signage as noted below in the Sign Initiative section.
Sign Initiatives
The Department of Public Safety implemented a new sign initiative aimed at increasing public safety. The new signage will complement our new Traffic Unit which became operational in January 2025. New informational signage has been installed throughout the City as follows:
On Route 9, near the entrance to Code Blue Shelter, we installed a message sign that reads, "Pedestrian Crossing, Use Caution." In the last several months, a homeless individual was struck by a vehicle crossing Route 9, in the vicinity of the shelter. This was installed prior to the opening of Code Blue.
On Broadway (both directions), at the intersection of Circular Street, we installed two signs that read, "For Your Safety and Theirs, Please Do Not Give Money to Persons in the Roadway."
At the three Taxis Stands in the City, we installed signs that read, "Area Under Surveillance, Unregulated Taxi Operations Will be Prosecuted." More signage will be added prior to track season.
New Police Station
The Capital Budget was passed unanimously by the City Council and included $500K for the initial planning for a new Police Department. SSPD has been operating out of the same space since 1887, and the facility is inadequate and plagued with operational issues. It is also lacking contemporary features that the City’s insurance carrier noted as liabilities and in need of correction.