APD refuses to do anything. The mayor doesn't care

Itinalaga ni David, Mayor's Office ang isyung ito kay Albany Police Department Administrator

Contrary to the assertion, APD and Mayor Sheehan's foremost priority is ensuring the public's safety. APD has been actively working to address this situation, and have been making progress. Attached is a press release and photos regarding the impounding of two illegal bikes that also details the specific actions APD is taking to ensure more illegal vehicles are taken off our streets.

In the future, when you witness this activity, please call 911 or (518) 438-4000 immediately so APD can investigate further.

Impounded Bike 1 attached here.

Impounded Bike 2 attached here.

Thanks for fixing this request!

Why does it seem that the noisy bikes, the ones with license plates that often gather in the Dunkin’ parking lot for example, don’t get ticketed for noise violations?

There are at least 30 more terrorizing this neighborhood alone. To catch them would be like catching fish in a bucket. They're all sitting at Dunkin Donuts on a regular basis and speeding up and down Lark and Madison constantly. And the noise of dozens more of these bikes is in violation of almost every noise ordinance and is destroying this neighborhood, any outdoor dining, the park, people's desire to live here , Etc If the police haven't caught them they aren't trying. These bikers do this right in front of patrol cars. Many have witnessed this. The officers don't even look in their direction. You're misinformed, David, and two out of the hundreds of bikes causing problems all over this city is nothing. If citizens see this multiple times a day in multiple areas of the city, why aren't your officers? And if they are, why aren't they doing something? And what is happening to the drivers themselves? What stops them from getting on another bike and doing the same thing? Continuing to call the police for bikers that are gone before they arrive is resulting in a crying wolf situation where the police aren't even coming. But please, citizens, continue to call every single time you hear or witness these motorbikes so the magnitude of the problem is documented. It's easy to feel discouraged and hopeless, but complacency won't help us. We can't just accept this as how things are. We have to continue to fight for our safety, neighborhood and quality of life.

I would like to add the press release does NOT detail anything the police or the city is doing in their effort to put an end to this. So, perhaps, you should re-read, David. Additionally, those two bikes were confiscated nearly a month ago. It was a good catch at the time and is not without appreciation; however, it does not a solution make.

Perhaps, they should race through Ms. Sheehan’s neighborhood on a nightly basis.

Neighbors, let's make a concerted effort along with the APD to fix this issue. When witnessed, immediately call the police, have them on speed dial. Be ready to describe to any extent what you saw, number of vehicles, where they are located, direction they are headed, etc. If the APD could have fixed the issue with the resources they have, they would have at this point. Let's help them out for our collective communities.

We’ve been calling APD every time for more than a year and they’ve grown so tired of the calls I doubt they even send an officer over anymore. Picking up two bikes is great, but the Mayor’s office can’t claim that victory all summer long.

With all due respect, Dan, the community has been doing their part for 2+ years. We’ve gone to the council; to the Mayor’s office; to neighborhood associations; to the press; and, to the police. The problem is nobody in Albany gives a @#$% about addressing real problems. Two years and nobody in government can provide a better response than to call APD? Well, let me tell you about my experiences calling APD – armed with details about the bikes, the riders and where they’re located: TOTAL LACK OF INTEREST. On more than one occasion, I’ve received condescending attitude as if it was ludicrous I’d be calling to report such nonsense. Two years and our do-nothing councilman hasn’t pressured the mayor. Two years and the mayor hasn’t pressured the police. And two years the police have neglected to uphold the law. You can see that most anywhere in the city. It’s complete lawlessness. Unless, of course, you’re over-parked – that generates revenue! The problem here folks is larger than the dirt bikes and ATVs, they are merely a symptom of disinterested government and politicians.

With all due respect, Dan, the community has been doing more than their share. We pay a police force and our elected officials to solve these problems for us. If we didn’t mind helping, nobody would be here posting or calling. Truth of the matter is this is a 2+ year old issue. So, quite frankly, I’m sick of the excuses.

The community has gone to the council; to the mayor; to the police; to neighborhood associations; to their Assemblymember; and, to the press. What more would you like us to do? Nobody cares. Nobody is willing to think outside the box or propose a change. Just look around you, the entire city is filled with lawlessness. I sometimes wonder if we even have a police department.

Unfortunately, people don’t seem to realize these issues are only symptomatic of a larger issue – uninterested government and out of touch politicians.

Got to have hope, Stephen, keep up the good fight.

Two bikes out of how many? Then there are the 4 wheelers. I would be embarrassed to call two bikes progress. How many arrests and tickets have been made/handed out? I think people have had enough of public relations in Albany. How about doing something?

About a week ago I had a 4 wheeler flying up and down my one-way street, while at times going around the block... A few minutes later the police drive down the street. The 4 wheeler was about 7 or 8 seconds behind them. Right behind the 4 wheeler was another patrol car slowly following behind. We could hear the 4 wheeler zooming around neighboring streets for about 20 minutes afterwards, no doubt, before going on to terrorize another neighborhood. So there was clearly a call reporting this, yet only a country drive, so to speak, by the police. It was like they were getting a police escort. It would be comical if it weren't so dangerous and annoying.

I have yet to see even a light or a siren go on when these vehicles fly by or go on sidewalks and such. Can you even charge them for evading police when you don't even give them an opportunity to pull over? What kind of tragedy is it going to take to get action? The bikes impounded are illegal? Not all bikes doing these things are illegal. Their actions are, however illegal. No cameras have picked them up? Obviously, there are a lot of people trying to help, but the people who aren't helping are the ones who know who these dangerous individuals are. Have you tried to get anyone who actually has information to assist by offering a reward or anything? Or would offering that draw attention to the problem? Can anything be proactive instead of reactive?

Despite the "2 bikes" that have been impounded. This problem has gotten worse. People now know that anything goes in Albany and it is likely not just people from Albany now involved. Other places enforce laws and that helps discourage people from breaking other laws. When a city only enforces a fraction of violators involving things, such as snow removal, garbage disposal, or excessive noise, what do you think is going to happen? The same offenders will add more ways to disturb and endanger our citizens. And they clearly have.

Hopefully my comment makes it out of moderation. No reason to be held.

Hopefully, by reopening this post, your comments will make it out of moderation, Standing up for our Citizens. This is not a closed issue, David, and it's inappropriate for you to decide to close something that you did not initiate and that has in no way been satisfactorily addressed nor is anywhere near being resolved. To not understand that, as part of the Mayor's office, illustrates one of the reasons things are as they are.

APD has stated to the neighborhoods that when there are vehicles believed to be violating noise ordinances, they need the information ASAP (and please note that videos help), because to be able to write a ticket they need to witness the noise violation at the time it occurs. As for illegal vehicles, APD is doing everything they can while still ensuring public safety to catch illegal vehicles, like tracking them back to their garages and then impounding them. APD is also in the process of purchasing drones and will add that as a tool to help catch illegal vehicles.

David, why weren't the names of the offenders included in the report? Can you include them here? Were they released to the media? What were the offenses? I don't know why this would not be public information. On a daily/nightly basis through much of Albany there are motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATV's speeding, doing stunts, making crazy noise, going the wrong way down streets, going onto sidewalks. Endangering lives... How were the police able to apprehend these vehicles when all the countless occurrences they don't even attempt to do so?

With all due respect, David, you are repeating what APD is tellng you. If you read this thread, you will "hear" what people who live here and witness the situation are actually experiencing. APD does not respond to noise and motorbike/ATV issues and it is well-known that even when these things happen right in front of officers, they do not address the issue. When asked why, they say they've been told not to pursue and since the vehicles are always speeding by, they just let them go. So the bikers know it's the wild west here and come in droves. This is why people are so frustrated. Read what Stephen says above in terms of all that citizens have done and continue to do. Multiple descriptions, times (to check intersection cameras), photos, videos, license numbers, even addresses of many of these violators have been provided to APD and these vehicles remain menacing our streets with the response from APD being that if they don't witness it themselves, there is nothing they can do (same response about aggressive harassing panhandlers). A good number of people have completely given up due to the repeated lack of response, but many others continue to call every time they hear or see a violation. But, on the very rare occasion APD responds to such a call, so much time has passed not only are the offenders long gone, but even the witnesses have left assuming no one is coming 30-60+ minutes past when they requested an officer. The reason given is that they have "bigger priorities," which adds insult to injury when multiple police vehicles have been observed parked outside a nearby restaurant that entire time. It's understood officers have to eat, but it makes more sense not to take multiple cars off the road for this at the same time. We've also been hearing about all these plans, drones, etc. since the chief came on board, but it hasn't happened in all these months. It's only a genuine response if it's actually in place. Your own response above says they need to witness the issue, so put officers here to witness it the way we do every single day, many times a day. Put officers in plain clothes near the entrance to the park at Willett and Madison, near the corner of Lark and Madison, in the window of Stacks coffee (from 5pm on), etc. on a nice Friday and Saturday night and they will witness all the issues they want. If APD won't do that or the union won't let them work nights (as we are always told) then they are not trying and have no real commitment to resolving this.

The news stations already did a segment on this issue. Perhaps it's time for them to do a follow up on the lack of progress, and action. Anyone have connections?

I believe a few different issues are being thrown into one SCF issue, but in regards to noise, that's something that needs to be witnessed in real-time and APD has let neighborhood associations know that as recently as last month. APD is also aware of other VTL violations like driving on sidewalks, unsafe operation, etc., and has upped the presence in the area however we also know that working closely with residents and visitors alike when they witness these actions is extremely helpful to identifying and apprehending the individuals.

In regards to drones, that is something that has taken time partially because we have made a concerted effort to hold community meetings with ACPAC to ensure that APD's acquisition of drones is something that the community is a part of and can provide input on.

Plain clothes officers are engaged in the area and APD will continue to do so.

If you experience a situation where you reach out to APD and you feel as though the response is not what you expect, please reach out to me directly at dgalin@albanyny.gov

David, I appreciate you engaging, but you continue to read from the prepared text. Let me be the first person to tell you that an increased police presence might be what you’re told is happening, but it does not translate into reality. Please do not discount the word of citizens who live and work in this neighborhood every single day. I am not oblivious to my surroundings and you’d be lucky to find a police presence at any time of day here. I strongly dispute any suggestion that patrol has increased. And if it indeed has, then I’ll let you figure out just how absence it was to begin with.

I know the Mayor’s office is hoping to prolong the issue so that citizens will grow tired and weary. But we’re not going anywhere. So somebody better start getting creative.

Quite the opposite - we want to help solve the issue. That is why we're investing in drones and APD continues plain clothes and unmarked car patrols, in addition to the regularly scheduled patrols. I am in the neighborhood several times a week and I see what you are detailing and understand it's frustrating - I have to imagine it's even more frustrating when you deal with it on a regular basis as a resident. That's why we will continue to work with the neighborhood to try to curtail this type of activity as much as possible and sincerely appreciate the community's patience as we tackle this issue from a variety of angles.

For those who want to see the police engaging in high-speed pursuits of these clowns, I suggest learning of the events of December 31, 2003. A high speed chase to catch a driver with expired registration resulted in a bystander getting shot and killed.
Note that I'm not saying I think the Police are doing everything they can, just that there may be good reason they're not going at it as aggressively as some may like.

They are not even attempting to get them to pull over at any speed. Should the police chase anyone? Do we wait till pedestrians get killed? We now have an attack on two females in a car. I believe one was a youth. Do we continue to allow free reign until some nut takes advantage of the leniency and commits an act of terror on a crowd? When what is happening is normalized we are in big trouble. Why isn't this problem out of control everywhere? This, like other things in Albany, was allowed to get way out of hand. Now hard decisions need to be made for the safety of our people.

Well said Boofah. I like to think that the Albany police are making this a priority while approaching it in a smart manner. They know full well that the first time these thugs injure an innocent person in pursuit or not, that accident will be a stain on their conscience they will carry with themselves in uniform for Albany. They don't want that and nobody wants that for them. Let's continue to support the police in any way we can.

A high speed pursuit for an expired registration doesn't make any more sense than allowing motorbikes and ATVs to speed down pedestrian sidewalks, through park playgrounds, and into oncoming traffic. The fact that poor judgement was used in the past, is not reason to use poor judgement now and allow innocent adults and children to be subjected to possible injury or death due to this dangerous illegal behavior. That does not reduce risk. APD isn't even making an attempt to pull anyone over to know whether some of the violators would comply without a chase. They don't have to pursue them at high speed, but at least make an effort. Be present in the neighborhood, witness and document what is happening, try to pull violators over, at minimum collect descriptions and license numbers, build rapport with all the bikers who hang at Dunkin Donuts hours on end to see if APD can get some intell. There are actions that can be taken between doing nothing and a high speed chase. Instead, APD is routinely witnessed watching the illegal dangerous activity right in front of them and just driving off in the opposite direction, doing nothing and protecting no one. Adults and children on sidewalks and in the park are routinely almost run over, but that is ignored because APD doesn't want someone to get hurt??? That is nonsense and it was extremely poor judgement to publicly state that APD won't pursue anyone whether true or not. It gave a free pass to those causing the issues and created an even worse public safety risk. Violators come here in droves because they know there is no accountability.

I don't really agree regarding the 2003 registration chase meaning you shouldn't pursue. There are other examples of bad endings as well, however there are countless thousands of chases through the years and who knows how many lives have been saved. Just one bad person can take many lives. When someone runs from the police for a low level crime they are often running because they have something more serious in the closet. It is impossible to enforce the law with no chance of something going wrong. So many more serious crimes are prevented because of taking criminals off the street, often through chases. I agree with the comment regarding the mistake of flat out declaring the intentions not to chase. Once that was put out there it was open season for bringing this to Albany. Why go anywhere else than where you have been given a green to engage in illegal activities?

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