454 Emergency medical calls POLICE DEPARTMENT: 39 missing person cases

LOCAL • INDEPENDENT • FREE

Volume 15 • Issue 11 • March 19 – March 25, 2021 • saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com • 518- 581-2480 •

LAW ENFORCEMENT UPDATE

County & City Police Reforms 2020 Overview

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city is targeting an April 1 deadline to comply with an Executive Order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo stating that municipalities across the state adopt local plans for police department reform. Two special meetings of the City Council – to take place March 23 and March 31 - have been scheduled to review and approve recommendations for Saratoga Springs police reform.

Last June, in the aftermath of the policeinvolved death of George Floyd in Minnesota and subsequent protests across the nation demanding change and accountability among the law enforcement community, Cuomo directed a comprehensive review of existing police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices be conducted, and plans for reform adopted by local municipalities by April 1, 2021 to be eligible for future state funding.

Last week, the results of a survey used by them to assist in finalizing their recommendations to the Saratoga Springs City Council was posted online. The 97-page report may be read at: saratoga-springs.org.

See Story pg. 11

POLICE DEPARTMENT: 30,880 calls for service

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 4,868 calls for service

AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT: 3,454 Emergency medical calls

POLICE DEPARTMENT: 39 missing person cases

See pg. 11

GOP Candidates Announced

HEIDI OWEN WEST, a political independent, has been endorsed by the City of Saratoga Springs Republican Committee as mayoral candidate. Photo provided. See Story pg. 10

CANCELLED

Speech Not So Free at Skidmore

HANNAH DAVIS, junior, is trying to form a Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) chapter at Skidmore College.

Photo by Jaynie Ellis. See Story pg. 22