Breakdown of the Saratoga Springs Public Safety Annual Report

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The 2023 Department of Public Safety Annual Report was recently released and made available to the public. The full report is available online on the city’s website.

Saratoga Springs Police Department

The Saratoga Springs Police Department responded to 27,643 calls for service, with officers generating 3794 cases that resulted in 852 arrests. The most frequent call types were traffic stops, property checks, 911 hang-ups, 911 open line, public assistance, disturbance, crash, suspicious person/vehicle and traffic parking enforcement.

The report detailed that the SSPD had a higher standard for reporting uses of force than NYS required. Of all the calls for service handled by SSPD, 63 resulted in the use of force by SSPD’s standards. Of these 63 Use of Force reports documented by SSPD, only 23 met the requirements for reporting NYS.

In supplemental charts, the report outlined that these Uses of Force were done via firearm displays, taser deployed or displaced or by physical force. They also note that in 25 cases the subject was impaired by alcohol, drugs impaired three, five had an unknown impairment, six had a combination, and 24 had no impairments.

The SSPD saw six officers graduate in February 2023 from the Zone  Police Academy and return to the department to continue their training. In the fall of 2023, eleven officers were hired, 10 of which went to the academy and one lateral transfer joined the force.

In 2023, 46 different individuals were required to report and register with the Sex Offender Registry according to their status as sexual offenders.

As mandated by the City Charter, Animal Control Officers (ACO)  respond to services directly related to domestic animals, and in 2023 they responded to 239 of the 478 total animal complaints in the city. These officers also transported 43 animals to shelters and handled 20 cases involving animal bites.

ACOs and one additional parking enforcement officer are also responsible for parking enforcement duties. These officers issued 11,735 parking citations in 2023.

In terms of Motor Vehicle Collisions, 2023 SSP responded to 988 reportable traffic crashes, conducted 2976 traffic stops and issued 1754 uniformed traffic tickets. Of these tickets issued, 114 were for DWI offenses.

The SSPD coordinated, staffed and executed many events according to the report including popular events at the Saratoga Race Course, Flag Day Parade, the Silks and Satins 5k, Beekman Street Arts Fair Chowderfest Victorian Street Walk and more.

Saratoga Springs Fire Department

In 2023 the  Saratoga Springs Fire Department (SSFD) responded to 6990 calls for service, an increase of 9.2% from 2022. When breaking down calls by service type, 73% were emergency medical responses, 10% were alarm activations, 11% were good intent and other, 2% were hazardous conditions, 3% were service calls and 1% were fire.

Average response times clocked in at 4:24 in District 1 (downtown and eastside), 5:12 in District 2 (Westside), 6:28 in District 3 (I87 East) and 11:53 for mutual aid out of the city.

The SSFD hosted its first Recruit Firefighters Training Academy in 2023 which ended with the graduation of 15 firefighters in mid-July.

There were 1963 total inspections done in 2023 regarding fire prevention and inspection/code enforcement. Of these 1330 occupancies were inspected, 811 violations were found and there were 4742 total active occupancies.

The fire inspection revenue was budgeted for $150,000 but saw an increase of 51.64% and actually totaled $227,460.

When examining code enforcement, 53% were complaint-based inspections, 15% were notices of violation/order to remedy, 19% were re-inspection, 9% were taxi, 3% were vacant structures and 1% were fire inspections.

In 2023, there were 5398 emergency medical calls for ambulances, a 6.95% increase from 2022, with the daily average totaling at 14.78. Response times clocked in at 2:43 for dispatch processing, 1:19 for turnout time, 4:52 as the average response time and 18:45 on-scene time.

The fire department ambulance transport revenue totaled $2,190,762.82. The department attributes the increase in fire department EMS revenues to placing a second ambulance in-service on a daily basis.

SSFD’s annual expense increased to $9,033,495 in 2023, a 24% increase from 2022. The report states that this increase is a result of the up-staffing of 19 firefighters in preparation for the new Fire Station Three. Station Three itself has been moving at a “steady pace” according to the report,  stating that it has been substantially completed and that the estimated timeframe for opening is in March/April of 2024.

Saratoga Springs Firefighters, IAFF Local 343 had consistent community involvement throughout the year, hosting many events like First Responders’ Day, Passionately Pink Campaign, Charity Hockey Games with the Christmas Charity hockey game raising over $2,000 and collected 1,100 toys to donate to the franklin Community Center and the 2023 Fore The Kids Golf tournament which raised $4,5000 to go towards the Firefighters Community Fund to support various charities, sports teams and groups in Saratoga Springs.

Traffic Maintenance Division Report

The city’s Traffic Maintenance division is responsible for installing approved traffic control devices including signs, traffic signals and pavement markings as well as monitoring city street operations and responding to public concerns.

Traffic Maintenance is tasked with the upkeep and maintenance of the city’s 47 traffic signals, 8 warning signals, traffic regulatory signs, warning signs, guide signs and pavement marking on 148 estimated miles of city streets.

Maintenance activity in 2023 included the annual traffic signal fixture and re-lamping program which saw 175 LEDs replaced in 2023. The department also responded to 140 traffic signal work orders in 2023. There were also 416 requests for the location of the department’s underground traffic signal utilities.

As of the end of 2023, there were 9,646 traffic sign assets deployed throughout the city. During the racing season, 155 signs were temporarily installed and removed and during the winter months, 100 seasonal parking were utilized. There were also 898 traffic sign-related work orders issued and completed.