SARATOGA SPRINGS — The homeless woman who was found dead in an outdoor loading area of the Saratoga Senior Center last Thursday, December 12, was identified as Nancy Pitts, according the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Police dispatch received a complaint of someone refusing to leave a loading area at 8:30 a.m. that Thursday. Upon arrival, officers located Pitts, 54, behind the building lying on the back porch. Medical assistance was requested and it was determined that Pitts had died overnight. Pitts was known to the responding officers as having no permanent address. She would frequently spend the night at various locations in the downtown area of Saratoga Springs.
“The death of Ms. Pitts on the morning of December 12 draws our attention to a larger issue in the community and one that all communities must face, that of the local homeless population,” said Saratoga Springs Police Department Chief of Police Gregory J. Veitch in a press release. “An official cause of death is pending autopsy and toxicology results.”
Police officers said they found an individual who had spent the night with her but suspected no foul play.
The Saratoga Springs Police Department is frequently called to respond to a variety of issues regarding the homeless population in the City. Police officers often make referrals to other government and private agencies that provide services to the homeless population. Other times officers are called upon to make arrests for violations of the law if appropriate. Police officers do not however, have the legal authority to require an individual to receive any services offered through government programs, non-profit organizations, or private entities.
