City Police Responded to More than 27,000 Calls, Made 850 Arrests in 2023; Drone Program Goal for ‘24

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In 2023, members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department responded to 27,643 calls for all types of service – approximately 1,500 more calls than in 2022 - and generated nearly 3,800 cases that resulted in just over 850 arrests. 

The Saratoga Springs Fire Department meanwhile responded to 6,990 calls for service in 2023, representing a 9.2% increase compared to the previous year. 

The Saratoga Springs Public Safety Department on March 8 released its annual report for 2023. The 74-page report was submitted March 5 by newly elected Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll, and Deputy Commissioner Daniel Charleson. 

In 2023, James Montagnino served as commissioner of public safety, and Jason Tetu as deputy commissioner. The police department concluded the calendar year with 80 sworn personnel, 51 of whom are currently patrol officers, according to the report. 

Overall, the Public Safety Department includes a full-time Administrative Office Staff, a Police Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement Division, Central Dispatch, Traffic Maintenance, Animal Control Officers and a Health Officer. There are approximately 204 full-time employees. An additional 14 part-time employees work as school crossing guards, vehicle traffic controllers, part-time traffic control maintenance and summer laborers at the traffic garage.

Police Department

The Saratoga Springs Police Department was created by an act of the State Legislature in 1887, when a staff of 8 worked out of a station that was formed as an annex to town hall. The current department resides in the same location and has expanded into additional portions of the building. Tyler McIntosh has served as chief of police since June 2023. 

Among the department’s stated goals in 2024 is the development and implementation of a department Drone Program, which will enhance investigations and crowd-management capabilities. 

Additional goals include: creating a Traffic Safety Unit, a Citizen Police Academy, and developing and implementing a comprehensive Wellness Program to improve members’ mental and physical health. 

The department also reported it has acquired Flock License Plate Readers, which provides AI and machine-learning powered technology to reveal detailed information that may not have otherwise be available, according to the company. The LPR’s will be set in fixed locations around the city. 

“This technological resource will provide invaluable data and leads for investigations that pertain to all sorts of criminal activity,” according to the report. “The ability to track, trace and analyze other types of evidence will be instrumental to the future of crime-solving.” 

Calls For Service

In 2023, members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department responded to 27,643 calls for service. The most frequent call type was the traffic stops, which accounted for about 11% of all calls. 

Officers generated 3,794 cases that resulted in 852 arrests. Comparatively, in 2022, the police department responded to 26,186 calls for service, and officers generated 3,933 cases that resulted in 821 arrests.

A consistent primary density for calls for service were in the area of Broadway between Caroline Street & Lake Ave. Secondary hotspots consistently observed were in the area of Union Street between Adelphi St. & Arthur St. as well as Hamilton St. between W Circular St. & Congress St. During the summer months, a consistent density for calls emerged in the area of the Saratoga Racecourse, and at the western portion of Saratoga Spa State Park in correlation with Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

Of the 27,643 calls for service handled by members of the SSPD in 2023, 63 resulted in a use of force by SSPD standards. Those 63 resulting instances: Physical Force (40); Firearm Displayed (16)/ Firearm Discharged (0); Taser Displayed (5)/ Taser Deployed (2); Pepper Spray Deployed (0). 

In 2023, city police responded to 998 reportable traffic crashes, down from 1,052 compared to the previous year. 

Officers conducted 2,976 traffic stops in 2023 and issued 1,754 Uniform Traffic tickets – up from 1,686 tickets in 2022. Of the tickets issued 114 were for Driving While Intoxicated offenses, down from the 132, 135, and 133 DWI tickets issued for DWI offenses in each of the three previous years, respectively. 

Reported Offenses

*Saratoga Springs Police Department – 2023 summary crime data submitted to DCJS. Report run Feb. 12, 2024. 

Fire Department 

The Saratoga Springs Fire Department has 84 full-time career fire officers and firefighters. 

In 2023, the Saratoga Springs Fire Department responded to 6,990 calls for service. This represents a 9.2% increase from 2022. Emergency Medical Responses accounted for 4,911 of the responses. Alarm Activations – 644, Good Intent and other – 697, Hazardous Conditions – 147, Service Calls – 198, and Fires – 93, were some of the others. The 93 responses to fire were the highest number in any one year compared to each of the past five years. 

The average response times, from dispatch to arrival in 2023, were 4:24 (downtown and eastside), 5:12 (westside), and 6:28 (I-87 East). 

The year also saw the Saratoga Springs Fire Dept. hosting its first Recruit Firefighter Training Academy, in a joint effort with the cooperation of the Wilton VFD, Glens Falls FD and the Albany Airport FD. The Academy began in late March and concluded in mid-July with the graduation of 15 firefighters. 

Fire Prevention and Inspection/Code Enforcement – In 2023, there were 1,963 total inspections, with 811 total violations.

Ambulance Report – in 2023, there were 5,398 emergency medical calls, and 3,900 transports. The fire department EMS revenues increased in 2023 as a result of placing a second ambulance in service on a daily basis. That ambulances transport revenue in 2023 was just over $2.9 million. 

Station Three update: A project decades in-the-making, the report cites an approximate March/April estimated opening of the station based on Henning Road.