Last Sunday morning at approximately 4:09 a.m., in scenic downtown Saratoga Springs, a man was stabbed multiple times in the torso and is currently in a drug-induced coma.
Shocking? Maybe, maybe not.
Shocking? Maybe, maybe not.
Last Sunday morning at approximately 4:09 a.m., in scenic downtown
Saratoga Springs, a man was stabbed multiple times in the torso and is
currently in a drug-induced coma.
Shocking? Maybe, maybe not.
When I first heard the news I was shocked, until I sat back and thought about some of our closest neighbors. When I heard that the suspects are both from Schenectady a light bulb went off and I was less than surprised.
We are lucky enough to live and do business in a relatively safe community filled with rich history and national attractions. There are many reasons I chose to invest my money, time and effort into a business in Saratoga Springs, one of which is the sense of safety and community.
I still drive through the city and am amazed at the number of police officers patrolling the streets. Although I sometimes have to end my phone calls rather abruptly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. A strong police force and government is the backbone to a free society where law-abiding citizens live and play in security.
However, the fact is that a short drive down the Northway the scene changes dramatically.
While many of our neighbors enjoyed prosperous and rich histories, a few bad decisions over the years led to disturbing realities that these areas now have to deal with.
Let's take a look at some figures to illustrate my point (at press time the most accurate figures I could gather were 2007):
New York State index crime summary rates per 100,000 population
Violent crimes:
Albany - 492.7
Saratoga - 94.5
Schenectady - 456.8
New York State crime summary by county
Albany:
violent, 1,464; murder, 5
Saratoga:
violent, 205; murder, 0
Schenectady:
violent, 688; murder, 5
All data gathered from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice - 2007 Data.
So what is my point to this editorial? It is very simple: don't make bad decisions. Keep our streets safe. Don't endorse or back ideas to encourage trends that lead to increased crime and welfare. Hold people responsible for their actions. Punish the guilty. Enforce the law with a firm hand. Let the police do their job. Report suspicious activity. Be prepared and don't be a
victim.
Some may say that my views are too extreme, but if it keeps any of our children out of the morgue; if it lets Mom and Dad come home for dinner; if it prevents our young girls from violent crime...I will gladly take the criticism.
See you on the streets.
Shocking? Maybe, maybe not.
When I first heard the news I was shocked, until I sat back and thought about some of our closest neighbors. When I heard that the suspects are both from Schenectady a light bulb went off and I was less than surprised.
We are lucky enough to live and do business in a relatively safe community filled with rich history and national attractions. There are many reasons I chose to invest my money, time and effort into a business in Saratoga Springs, one of which is the sense of safety and community.
I still drive through the city and am amazed at the number of police officers patrolling the streets. Although I sometimes have to end my phone calls rather abruptly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. A strong police force and government is the backbone to a free society where law-abiding citizens live and play in security.
However, the fact is that a short drive down the Northway the scene changes dramatically.
While many of our neighbors enjoyed prosperous and rich histories, a few bad decisions over the years led to disturbing realities that these areas now have to deal with.
Let's take a look at some figures to illustrate my point (at press time the most accurate figures I could gather were 2007):
New York State index crime summary rates per 100,000 population
Violent crimes:
Albany - 492.7
Saratoga - 94.5
Schenectady - 456.8
New York State crime summary by county
Albany:
violent, 1,464; murder, 5
Saratoga:
violent, 205; murder, 0
Schenectady:
violent, 688; murder, 5
All data gathered from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice - 2007 Data.
So what is my point to this editorial? It is very simple: don't make bad decisions. Keep our streets safe. Don't endorse or back ideas to encourage trends that lead to increased crime and welfare. Hold people responsible for their actions. Punish the guilty. Enforce the law with a firm hand. Let the police do their job. Report suspicious activity. Be prepared and don't be a
victim.
Some may say that my views are too extreme, but if it keeps any of our children out of the morgue; if it lets Mom and Dad come home for dinner; if it prevents our young girls from violent crime...I will gladly take the criticism.
See you on the streets.
Main Menu
Chad, this opinion piece is spot-on. I 100% agree!