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Published:
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Saratogian
On April 21, Saratogian readers were greeted by
photographs of a few dozen Skidmore students, with a
student smoking marijuana from a bong.
Their location was an open area about 100 yards from
the campus road. Regrettably, some concluded that
city and campus police consciously ignored
large-scale illegal behavior. Condemnation of
perceived police inaction began, with demoralizing
effects upon our agency.
As department heads for our city’s public safety and
police department, we’re compelled to factually
inform readers and defend our fine police officers.
Each serve our city with distinction and would lay
down their lives, if necessary, to protect yours.
They deserve nothing less from us when their
professionalism is impugned.
Although 420 day is a national event, our police
department’s knowledge of Skidmore’s 420 day
celebration was that it was a non-event. Department
records support this; all documented police
incidents occurring April 20 at Skidmore over 10
years have no drug involvement. Skidmore Security
had active patrols out on 420 day, and did not call
police. Police patrols were instructed to patrol the
campus.
While The Saratogian covered Skidmore College, four
city police patrols and one supervisor answered 11
calls for service in 80 minutes time; these included
two domestic violence calls and assorted crimes.
Our patrols, absent real information of illegal
activity at Skidmore, focused on providing necessary
police service at several locations citywide. Our
police officers did not knowingly permit illegal
marijuana use; they didn’t know it was occurring.
Valid debate exists that the actual number of
participants was far less than the reported 100.
Historically, our city police have worked tirelessly
to enforce drug laws. We are valued “Partnership for
Prevention” members and our mission against illicit
drug and marijuana use is a priority. Our record
bears this out; between 2004 and 2008, we
investigated almost 20,000 offenses. Six percent
were drug or marijuana offenses; 93 percent resulted
with arrest. Our Narcotics Unit leads police
agencies countywide in cases brought against
traffickers.
Our DARE and School Resource Officer programs are
lauded as the state’s best. Our street patrols
routinely arrest marijuana offenders and engage in a
zero tolerance policy. In five years, 489 reported
marijuana offenses and 474 hard drug offenses
resulted in arrest. This represents one drug-related
arrest average every other day for five years,
clearly demonstrating our commitment to fighting
illicit drug use and sale.
Lest we forget, just one year ago eight Skidmore
students were arrested by our police department for
trafficking drugs and marijuana.
The Saratoga Springs Police Department has shown
deep commitment towards providing a safe city, free
of drug crime and violence. One need only to look at
our crime problem as compared to other cities for
validation that our officers aggressively and
effectively combat drug crime. Our police department
will continue its aggressive stance regarding drugs
and resulting crime and will act accordingly and
responsibly, as we have always done.
Commissioner Ron Kim
Chief Edward Moore
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