Saratoga Springs Approves Ordinance Prohibiting Firearm Possession while Intoxicated

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS —

During its meeting on Aug. 1, the City Council approved a long-debated ordinance prohibiting intoxication or impairment by alcohol or drugs in a public place when in possession of a firearm.

The measure passed by a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Dillon

Moran and Jason Golub, who each voted against the proposal, expressing general agreement with a majority of the ordinance’s components, but took issue with certain aspects of it.

“I think it’s a great idea as a piggy-back onto another offense - If someone is arrested for assault and you have reasonable suspicion that you can now search them for firearms or give them a breathalyzer,”

Gimme Shelter –Task Force to Provide Report to City in September

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

Golub told the council. “But, to expect the police to identify those who are both drunk and carrying a firearm independent of another violation is a nearimpossible exercise unless you want to violate people’s civil rights,” he said. “That’s my biggest concern.”

According to the ordinance, “intoxicated” and/or “impaired” is as defined by State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —

With its work completed, the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness is expected to provide a report to the City Council in early September, Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said this week.

The ad hoc group was formed earlier this year to target solutions regarding a permanently placed 24/7 homeless shelter in the city.

“They did a lot of great work – they recommended the site, they recommended an RFP for us to consider, they’ve recommended financing options,” Mayor Kim said. “There’s a lot of story to tell.”

During its meeting Aug. 1, the City Council unanimously approved, by a 5-0 vote, a Local Law to set a 1,000-foot minimum distance between a homeless shelter and any primary or secondary educational facility. That 1,000-foot buffer would apply to daycare centers, provided those centers are part of a school.