As you will note in the reports by Detective Sergeants Kevin Conine and Lloyd Swartz, we have again been busy with our narcotics enforcement efforts. Crack cocaine remains our number one drug problem. However we are seeing an increase in heroin trafficking. In addition we are watching very closely as we continue to see methamphetamine getting closer to our region. During 2004 we seized a total of $32,673.79 from narcotics dealers through 15 separate seizures.

The year 2004 once again was a banner year for us in terms of grant money received. Police Officer Steven Huntington again secured a $14,015 grant for our Child Passenger Safety Seat Program. We commend him for his ongoing, outstanding effort. Captain Stanley Wood also again was able to secure $20,434 for our "Buckle Up New York" effort and a Stop DWI publication. We were also granted $32,884 for live scan fingerprinting. Finally, we received $2,800 to purchase ruggedized personal digital assistants for our traffic enforcement efforts.

Our technology efforts took another major step in 2004 with the installation of live scan fingerprinting as mentioned above via a state grant. Now instead of rolling inked fingerprints from a defendant, we digitally capture the prints on a glass platen and submit the prints electronically to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and then to the FBI. The system has already proven its value by positively identifying an individual in custody that had been lying about his true identity. That individual was wanted by the New York City Police Department for a violent armed robbery.

Our Child Passenger Safety Seat Program continues to save lives under the skillful guidance of Police Officer Steven Huntington. During 2004 our fitting station at the Police Department checked 62 seats and provided 5 new seats. We participated in four child safety seat events at various locations throughout the year and, in the process, checked 83 seats and replaced a total of 12 seats. As mentioned above, all this was made possible through the tireless dedication of Office Huntington and through grants from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

Sergeant Leroy "Marty" Chittenden continues to do an excellent job for us in administering our responsibilities for the Sexual Offender Registration Act (AKA Megan’s Law). During 2004 we monitored 151 sexual offenders, a 22% increase over 2003. As this is written, 52 of those offenders actually reside in Glens Falls which constitutes an 18% increase over 2003. During 2004 Sergeant Chittenden arrested 10 sexual offenders for failure to register pursuant to the Sexual Offender Registration Act.

As a service to our residents, we continue to offer to check on vacant premises while folks are away. We are pleased to report that during 2004 we checked a total of 76 premises. That resulted in a total of 1,957 visits to vacant premises. This serves as just one more example of the outstanding, personalized service the fine members of the Glens Falls Police Department provide each and every day.

I continue to proudly serve as the President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police through the end of July 2005. The numerous contacts and networking we have developed as a result of this opportunity have been a tremendous benefit for the entire Police Department.

As always, the outstanding men and women of the Glens Falls Police Department served in exemplary fashion during 2004. We look forward to continuing our strong history of fine customer service to our community in 2005 and beyond. We proudly serve with knowledge, courage and integrity.

We charged a 21 year old Glens Falls man with Forgery and Larceny, after his grandfather reported several of his checks stolen and cashed by his grandson.

Two Hudson Falls men, ages 21 and 27 were charged separately with selling crack cocaine in the Hudson Falls/Glens Falls area. The 27 year old was also charged with resisting arrest and multiple traffic violations after he attempted to flee in a vehicle at the time of his arrest.

A 37 year old Glens Falls man was arrested after an investigation into the sale of marihuana from his Ridge Street home. He was charged with Criminal Sale of Marihuana.

After an investigation into marihuana sales in the area, a 27 year old Hudson Falls woman was charged with Possession of more than one pound of marihuana. A 26 year old South Glens Falls man was also charged after a search warrant was executed at his house and marihuana and several thousand dollars in cash was seized.

We arrested a 33 year old Bronx, New York, man for Rape in the Third Degree, after investigating a Child Abuse Hotline report that he had impregnated a 16 year old Glens Falls girl. He was sent to prison for 1 to 3 years.

Also in February, we arrested a 20 year old former New York City man for sale of crack cocaine in Glens Falls. He was selling crack from his residence in Glens Falls and an area bar. He was charged after he sold crack to an undercover State Trooper.

After an investigation with the New York State Police, Child Protective Services and the District Attorney’s Office, we arrested a 40 year old Glens Falls man. He was charged with multiple counts of Rape, Sodomy and Endangering the Welfare of a child, after he repeatedly victimized a 12 year old girl that he was familiar with.

A 44 year old Hudson Falls man was also charged with Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Forcible Touching and Endangering the Welfare of a child, after an investigation into a report that he had sexual contact with an 8 year old Glens Falls girl.

Also in March, we arrested a 21 year old Glens Falls man for Rape First Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest came after a

Glens Falls girl reported that the man held her against her will and raped her at his residence. He was also charged with Criminal Mischief for damaging a ceiling light in the jail after his initial arrest. He damaged the light in an attempt to electrocute himself while waiting to be arraigned. He was unharmed in the attempt.

In April of 2004, while assisting New York State Parole, we arrested a 34 year old Glens Falls business man for Trademark Counterfeiting. He was charged after he was found to be in possession of several hundred counterfeit CD’s, DVD’s and other merchandise for sale at his Glen Street business. He was also indicted by a Grand Jury for Sale and Possession of Crack Cocaine.

A 35 year old Troy man was charged with Impersonating a Federal Agent after an investigation with the Drug Task Force. The man was telling people that he was a DEA Agent. He carried a BB pistol, handcuff’s and had a Child Services badge that he flashed. He was prosecuted in Federal Court.

We charged a 21 year old Glens Falls man with multiple counts of Sodomy after an investigation into a report by his wife, that he would repeatedly sodomize her when she would go to sleep. He didn’t dispute the report, but claimed that he had the right because it was his wife.

Two area women and a Gansevoort man were charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance after an investigation into the illegal sale of prescription medication in the area. The investigation found that the medication had been stolen from a pharmacy in the Granville area.

Two Albany residents were charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident, False Written Statement and Obstructing Governmental Administration. The 29 year old man and 22 year old woman were charged after an investigation into a report by them that the man was assaulted by Police after he was ejected from a downtown bar. Video from the bar showed that the incident did not occur.

Also in April, after investigating complaints from neighbors, we charged three Glens Falls residents with Criminal Sale and Possession of Crack Cocaine, and Criminal Nuisance for operating a crack house on the City’s East side. The two men were formerly from Brooklyn and the woman charged was a Glens Falls native.

In May, the Task Force charged a 32 year old Brooklyn man with Sale and Possession of Crack Cocaine for selling crack in the Hudson Falls Glens Falls area.

We assisted New York State Parole in locating a 32 year old Parolee who was wanted by the New York State Police for Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Grand Larceny and Robbery. He was found hiding in a Glens Falls apartment house. He had been on the run for several months and was arrested without incident.

A 42 year old Glens Falls man was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child after an investigation into a report from a family member that he told his 6 year old daughter

that he was going to shoot her mother and mother’s boyfriend. Warren County Child Protective Services and the New York State Police assisted in the investigation.

We arrested a 42 year old Hudson Falls man for Attempted Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer after he attempted to run over a Glens Falls Police Officer at a GFPD/NYSP DWI checkpoint. The officer was not injured in the incident.

In July we arrested a 24 year old Glens Falls man for Criminal Sale of Marihuana after an investigation into reports of sales from his Glens Falls home.
A 32 year old Glens Falls man was arrested for two counts of Rape and three counts of Assault after an investigation into a report from his girlfriend that he would not let her leave his house and repeatedly raped and assaulted her.

After a lengthy investigation with the Drug Task Force into a large scale marihuana dealer, we arrested a 32 year old Saratoga County man for Criminal Sale of Marihuana. During the investigation, more than 20 pounds of marihuana and $30,000 in cash were seized from the defendant in three different counties. He also turned over a Tec-9 pistol at the time of his arrest.

A 60 year old Warrensburg business man was charged with selling cocaine out of his business after an investigation by the Task Force into reports that he had been selling cocaine. He was charged with several counts of Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance.

We arrested a 19 year old Glens Falls man for Felony Assault, after an investigation into a report from another man that he was shot in the back of the head with a bb gun. The 19 year old was on probation at the time, for shooting someone else in the head with a bb gun. The victim in this case was shot 3 times, but was not seriously injured.

We assisted New York State Police with the arrest of a 24 year old Glens Falls man who was wanted for Burglary and Robbery in which he displayed a shotgun. He was found hiding in his girlfriend’s home in Saratoga County.

Another Brooklyn man was arrested in Queensbury, after an investigation into crack

sales at a Queensbury home, by the Drug Task Force. The 20 year old was charged with Sale and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The 37 year old owner of the residence was charged with Criminal Nuisance for allowing his home to be used for the purpose of drug sales.

In August while assisting the New York State Police with a buy/bust in Queensbury, we arrested a Brooklyn teenager after he sold Crack to an undercover New York State Trooper. At the time of his arrest, he told Police that he was 18 years old. A criminal history check showed that he was 15 years old and wanted for Armed Robbery in Brooklyn and was the suspect in several homicides and shootings in New York City. He was turned over to New York City Police.

We also assisting Fort Edward Police with a request for assistance in an investigation into Crack sales in Fort Edward. After the investigation, a 39 year old former New York City man was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

We charged a 35 year old Mississippi man with being a Fugitive from Justice, after a report from Hudson Falls Police that he may be working in the Glens Falls area. We eventually located him on Elm Street. He was wanted in Mississippi for Armed Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. He was extradited back to Mississippi.

A 24 year old Glens Falls man was charged with Assault after a report of a 21 year old man being stabbed in the stomach at a local bar. The victim recovered from his wound.

In September, we charged a 27 year old Glens Falls man with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance after an investigation with the Task Force of sale of crack cocaine and heroin in Glens Falls.

Also in September we arrested a 41 year old Hudson Falls woman with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance after an investigation with Hudson Falls Police into reports that she had been selling her children’s medications. We purchased several varieties of prescription drugs from the woman.

We also charged a 45 year old Queensbury woman after she sold crack cocaine to a Police informant twice in Glens Falls. She was charged with Criminal Sale and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

After investigating a Child Abuse Hotline report with the Warren County Child Protective Services, we arrested a 29 year old Glens Falls woman for Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest came after school officials noticed a mark on the child’s face.

After interviewing the child, she disclosed that her mother hit her with a belt and made her eat soap.

In October 2004, we investigated a report by a young girl that her father had sexually abused her in the past. During the investigation, the girl documented what her father had done to her and kept it in a notebook. The day before she was to go to the Police station to report the abuse, the father, a 34 year old Glens Falls man, illegally entered the girl’s home and took the notebook. The girl lived with her mother at the time. As a result of the investigation, the father was arrested and charged with Burglary, Larceny and Tampering with Evidence. His 26 year old girlfriend was arrested and charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration and giving a False Written Statement to Police. She initially lied to police as to the whereabouts of the father.

Also in October, after a five month investigation into drug sales at a Glens Falls apartment, two 18 year old Glens Falls women were charged with multiple counts of Sale and Possession of a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy for their part in a crack cocaine ring. At the time of their arrests, they were with a 50 year old Glens Falls woman in a vehicle that was reported stolen from Connecticut. All three women are awaiting trial.

We arrested a 49 year old Glens Falls man for Rape in the Third Degree after his girlfriend reported that he had assaulted and raped her. The case is pending.

In November we arrested a 27 year old Glens Falls man for multiple counts of Rape and Sodomy and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, after an investigation into a report that a 14 year old had been having sex with him. During the investigation, the man’s 24 year old girlfriend was arrested and charged with Compounding a Crime, after she called the victim on the phone and told her to lie to the police, so her boyfriend wouldn’t go to jail.

After investigating a report that a 50 year old Queensbury business man had taken money from a Glens Falls man to purchase and install a furnace but did not deliver the furnace, he was arrested for Grand Larceny. When the arrest became public, several other local people called with similar complaints. The information was delivered to the District Attorney’s Office for consideration of additional charges.

We arrested a 32 year old Hudson Falls man and a 30 year old Queensbury woman for multiple counts of Sale and Possession of Heroin, after an investigation into local heroin sales. Several of the sales occurred at an apartment in Glens Falls. At the time of their arrests, the two had more than 30 bags of heroin and a large amount of crack cocaine and numerous syringes in their possession.

In December we assisted the New York State Dept of Labor with an unemployment investigation. As a result we arrested a 37 year old Saratoga County woman for Grand Larceny for obtaining more than $5,000 in unemployment benefits that she was not eligible for.

We also arrested a 53 year old Warrensburg woman for Forgery and Grand Larceny

after a complaint from a woman that someone had written checks from her checking account that was not authorized, for more than $10,000.

Finally we arrested three Glens Falls area teenagers after an investigation into the theft of an inflatable Sponge Bob Square Pants figure from the roof of Burger King. During the investigation, while interviewing one of the suspects, he was found to be in possession of a 7-foot statue of Ronald McDonald which had been stolen from the South Glens Falls McDonalds. After he was arrested, he subsequently brought us to where he had hidden Sponge Bob after he had stolen it. Neither figure was damaged.

We are still currently investigating a home invasion that occurred late last year and, as usual, numerous narcotic investigations.