Albany police chief issues pointed response to officers' union Facebook statement, the challenge for immigration detainees being held at Albany County jail, online comments and governments
Gun violence in Albany
+ In a statement Monday, and later press conference, acting Albany police chief Bob Sears issued a remarkably pointed response to the statement posted on the officers' union Facebook page over the weekend that had criticized city and department leadership as well as an anti-gun violence initiative in the city (the union unpublished the message Monday morning). And Sears called out a union VP by name for the statement. Said Sears at the press conference: "That comment completely unnecessary, inflammatory has the ability to undermine this whole department and this whole community and everything we've done in the one sentence over the last 10 years." [APD] [WNYT] [News10]
+ Albany Police Officers Union president David Verrelli told the Times Union the union Facebook page statement "was merely one person's observation" and "it was just poor timing" during the recent flare up of gun violence in the city. [TU]
+ Albany Common Council member Derek Johnson on the death of Elijah Cancer, who was killed in the South End this past weekend while trying to break up a fight: "I lost a mentee, I lost a little brother and I lost a friend ... I lost a whole bunch of things at the same time, and I know I'm not the only one feeling that way." [TU]
ICE detainees at Albany County Jail
An official with the the New York Immigration Coalition on the ICE detainees being kept at the Albany County Jail, where attorneys and orgs are offering them counsel and services, to the Times Union: "They don't know where they are, they don't know the day. No one has explained anything to them." [TU]
Abortion rights
Ahead of Donald Trump's announcement of his new Supreme Court pick Monday night, Andrew Cuomo pressed the case for New York State to the pass the Reproductive Health Act, which would protect abortion rights in the state, in case Roe v. Wade is overturned. The bill has failed to make it through the Republican-controlled state Senate. [TU] [Politico NY]
Troy stabbing
Troy police say they're investigating a stabbing early Tuesday morning in the South Central neighborhood Troy (map). [News10]
Schenectady stabbing
Schenectady police say the 15-year-old daughter of the woman stabbed early Monday morning is the suspect in the case. [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs truck arson
Saratoga Springs police say a 52-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly setting a pickup truck a fire -- SSPD says the woman thought the truck belonged to someone she knew, but it didn't. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady arson sentencing
The man convicted for the 2012 fire at a building on Union Street in downtown Schenectady was sentenced to more than five years in prison. [TU]
1986 Troy arson case retrial
The retrial of the man convicted for the 1986 Troy fire that killed two teens will be centered around the prosecution again relying on witness who made a deal in return for testimony and the defense arguing the forensic science of three decades ago wasn't up to the task. [TU]
Kaloyeros trial
In closing statements, the prosecution argued the Alain Kaloyeros had fixed the bidding process for SUNY Poly-related projects in Buffalo and Syracuse because of "power and hubris." The defense argued Kaloyeros had no motive to do what the feds allege. [Biz Review] [TU]
Skelos trial
A recap of Dean Skelos taking the stand in his own defense during his second trial in federal court. [NYT]
Schenectady fireworks
The Schenectady City Council continued to hear a lot about illegal fireworks in the city. [Daily Gazette]
Online comments and governments
The office of Albany County exec Dan McCoy is getting criticism for deleting and hiding comments made on its Facebook page, which critics say is a violation of free speech rights. [TU]
Tax breaks
Sara Foss on tax breaks given out by IDAs and the jobs those breaks are supposed to help create: "Right now, the strategy might best be summed up as 'give businesses whatever they want, and hope for the best.'" [Daily Gazette]
Affordable housing
Work is set to start soon on a 158-unit affordable housing complex in Saratoga Springs. [Biz Review]
Warehouses
Warehouse spaces around the Capital Region are selling quickly. [Biz Review]
Stuff going on today
Summer in the City: Coco
Tuesday: The Palace's Summer in the City series of free kid-friendly screenings starts up its new season with Coco. Tuesday activities at noon / movie at 1 pm -- free
Yellow Submarine
Tuesday-Wednesday: Proctors is screening the Beatles' Yellow Submarine. Tuesday and Wednesday 7 pm -- $9 / $6 students, seniors, kids
Ring of Fire
Tuesday-Sunday: Capital Repertory Theatre opens its production of the Johnny Cash musical Ring of Fire. (It was in previews this past weekend.) Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $25 and up
WTF
Tuesday-Sunday: The Williamstown Theatre Festival continues this week with productions of The Closet (starring Matthew Broderick) and the world premiere of Artney Jackson by James Anthony Tyler. Tuesday-Sunday various times -- various prices
Park Playhouse
Tuesday-Saturday: The Park Playhouse's first production of the summer season in Washington Park is Damn Yankees. Tuesday-Saturday 8 pm -- lawn seats free / reserved seats $14 and up
Stories
Tuesday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is at The Ale House in Troy. This month's theme: "Mistakes" Tuesday 7:30 pm (fixed)
Science on Tap
Tuesday: The Science on Tap series will be at the Albany Pump Station for an interactive presentation about invasive species. "Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, insects and diseases that were introduced into an ecosystem and cause significant harm to our environment, economy or human health. Learn about invasive species in your neighborhood and what YOU can do to help stop the spread!" Tuesday 7 pm -- free
NYS Summer Writers Institute
The NYS Summer Writers Institute continues its schedule of open-to-the-public readings by authors at Skidmore. Tuesday: Russell Banks & Chase Twichell. The events are in Palamountain Hall at Skidmore. Tuesday 8 pm -- free
Say Something!
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Comments
Re: Troy stabbing
6th and Jefferson is South Central, not South Troy.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1B-X3i1cWyBNRoH3iliKFmiTTOtJTMfLl&ll=42.742791187438954%2C-73.68710377310327&z=12
Editors: Fixed. Thank you. And thanks for sharing that neighborhood map.
... said FifthAveSam on Jul 10, 2018 at 11:27 AM | link
Why bother addressing gun violence when you can just have a Facebook feud instead?
... said Herbert on Jul 10, 2018 at 2:30 PM | link
I heard that the Mayor Albany cried when she was speaking to a group in Arbor Hill. Crying never brought down a crime wave. Tough policing brings down crime. How many times do we have to go through this PC nonsense?
... said Ray Johnson on Jul 10, 2018 at 6:02 PM | link
Wrong, Ray. Tough policing never accomplished anything of value to a community. SMART policing on the other hand can accomplish a lot. APD has made some progress in this regard in spite of their union's best efforts.
Ray makes a perfect example of outdated ideas and, I suspect, outdated masculinity. Crime, violence and death is sad. I'm glad our mayor has some contact with her emotions. I'll take brains over brawn, thank you.
... said Dan on Jul 12, 2018 at 10:25 AM | link
Hi Dan, I’d like to see the criminal justice studies, papers, etc. that support your contention that tough policing has “never accomplished anything of value to a community”. I’m aware of at least a dozen different studies surrounding policing tactics that some would consider “tough” policing, such as Broken Windows Policing, and the costs/benefits associated with them. I’m also curious what you consider to be “SMART” policing, are you referring to data-driven policing, such as predictive policing? If so I’d agree with you, but that brand of policing has been criticized as “tough” and “racist”, despite positive outcomes for communities.
I’m also curious how you came to the conclusion that all of Ray’s ideas are outdated and based on “outdated masculinity”? What ideas/concepts/etc. surrounding masculinity are outdated, and according to whom? I’m very much looking forward to your reply!
... said Ra on Jul 12, 2018 at 12:30 PM | link