The Honorable Mayor Leroy B. Akins, Chairman of the Board
Members of the Board of Public Safety
Members of the Glens Falls Common Council
City of Glens Falls

Once again it is our pleasure to submit to you the annual report of the Glens Falls Police Department for the year 2007.

As the City of Glens Falls goes through a period of great economic growth and community revitalization, the officers of the Glens Falls Police Department are committed to ensuring the safety of its residents. The police department is ready to meet the challenges the next century has in store.

With the addition of some new programs and initiatives, morale in the department is high and productivity is up.

One of the most exciting new programs for 2007 was the re-introduction of a motorcycle unit. Through a grant from the Warren County Traffic Safety Board, the police department was able to acquire two Harley Davidson Road King police motorcycles, train and equip several officers. This program has been a huge success. Not only have they allowed officers to better enforce the vehicle and traffic laws of New York, but the community and public relations benefits have been tremendous. The motorcycles were the first vehicles through Centennial Circle. They assisted at several special events. The response from the public has been wonderful.

We added a new computerized handheld parking ticket system that has made officers more efficient and productive.

Because of the police department’s aggressive traffic enforcement, we were able to obtain, at no cost to the city, a computerized License Plate Reader (LPR) that compares vehicles registrations to a "hot list" instantly. This unit has been extremely effective in reducing the number of unregistered and uninsured motor vehicles on the streets of our city.

The police department began a crackdown of trademark counterfeiting. First, officers were able to make several arrests during concerts at the Glens Falls Civic Center of people selling counterfeit tee shirts. Feedback from concert promoters was very positive. Next, the police department targeted so called "purse parties". According to the FBI, counterfeit textiles are a major source of income for terrorists.

2007 was another busy year for officers. The department handled 22,460 calls for service. Narcotics are still the primary area of concern. While overall drug arrest were up only slightly, felony drug arrests were almost double that of 2006. Another trend that we have seen is the number of cases involving weapons, especially handguns. In 2007 several subjects were arrested for possession of a weapon, including an incident where a handgun was fired on Glen Street striking the public library.

I regret to report that there was one homicide in our city last year. A seven-month-old child was brutally beaten by a subject who was left to care for him. We arrested the suspect, and the suspect is awaiting trial.

We continue to monitor area sex offenders. I am pleased to report that of the over 100 registered sex offenders that we keep close tabs on, we have no reports or reason to believe that any of them has re-offended.

We have held two very successful Citizens Police Academies this year. Both adult and teen went very well and we plan to expand that program in 2008.

DWI enforcement is a priority with this agency. Our DWI arrests were up for the fourth year in a row. Officers made 293 DWI arrests in 2007. One of our officers was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving as a "Top Cop" for the second year in a row.

Once again, the men and women of the Glens Falls Police Department continue to do their best for the citizens of Glens Falls. Their commitment to excellence and dedication to this community is second to none. We look forward to being a part of all that Glens Falls has to offer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joseph W. Bethel
Chief of Police

A 36 year old Glens Falls woman was arrested for felony insurance fraud in the fourth degree after it was alleged she made a false claim and statement to her insurance company.

After a report of a home invasion at an apartment on Maple Street in the city of Glens Falls, it was determined that the alleged victim in this case made the story up because her boyfriend lost his wallet and blamed it on her. As a result a 41year old Glens falls women was arrested on the charge of falsely reporting a incident in the third degree, a misdemeanor.

Detectives arrested a Middle Granville man for the felony count of grand larceny in the fourth degree after he entered into a business deal with a customer to provide them with $1700 worth of soundproofing material. Victim in this case then provided defendant with a check for the entire amount believing that he would provide the material. Defendant cashed check into another account receiving the money from victim and never provided victim with material promised.

Detectives arrested a 26 year old Saratoga Springs man for 3 counts of criminal sexual act in the third degree and 3 counts of rape in the third degree, all felonies, after an investigation that he had been having sex with a 15 year old female child who had ran away from her Glens Falls home.

Detectives assisted the New York State Police by arresting a 29 year old Greenwich woman for the felony of rape in the third degree after it was alleged that she had been having sex with her 15 year old stepson while they were living in Glens Falls during 2004.

A 31 year old Fort Edward man was arrested for the felonies of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and grand larceny in the third degree after he came into possession of three counterfeit lottery checks from Canada then opened an account with Cooper’s Cave Federal Credit Union on Dix ave in Glens Falls and later withdrew the funds which totaled $11,500.

Detectives assisted the local DEA task force in the arrests of two Albany residents for the felonies of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree; substance being cocaine.

A 24 year old Hudson falls man was arrested for petit larceny and criminal mischief in the fourth degree, both misdemeanors. Back in May of 2006 there was a report of several cars that had been broken into in the parking lot to the Henry Hudson Townhouses. Police responded and processed the scene obtaining blood samples from unknown suspect that was left behind. The sample was submitted to the NYSP lab and a hit was developed matching the DNA recovered at the scene linking to the suspect arrested.

Detectives arrested a Glens falls resident for the felonies of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree after he was involved in a fight with another male and used what was alleged to be a machete to cut victim behind his ear causing injury requiring medical treatment at the Glens Falls Hospital.

A 21 year old Lake Luzerne man was arrested for grand larceny third and attempted grand larceny in the third degree, both felonies, after an investigation into that he was fraudulently ordering and stealing $12,464.03 worth of copper wire from DJAZAIR company then billing the cost to the Hayes Construction Group without their authorization. Defendant had been a previous employee of the Hayes Group but was fired several months prior for unrelated incident.

A 17 year old Hudson falls girl was arrested for the felony of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and petit larceny after she stole a payroll check belonging to a friend of hers, then forging her friends signature and cashing same.

Detectives assisted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office by arresting a 27 year old Hudson Falls woman for possession of a forged instrument in the second degree,a felony and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. Defendant had stolen several thousand dollars worth of payroll checks from an Argyle business then went on a cashing spree around both Warren and Washington counties.

A 37 year old Glens Falls man was arrested on a charge of a fugitive from justice after he failed to register as a sex offender in the state of Ohio.

A 52 year old Hudson Falls man was arrested for reckless endangering in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child following a domestic dispute with his family where he allegedly backed his pickup truck into the front of the vehicle in which they were trying to enter.

Detectives arrested a 19 year old Glens Falls man for the felony of rape in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child after a investigation into him forcing a 15 year old female child to engage in sexual intercourse behind the YMCA. The same defendant was also arrested for the felony of rape in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child for engaging in sexual intercourse with a 14 year old female child.

After an investigation into a robbery at a local bar on South Street, detectives arrested a 41 year old Glens Falls man recently out of prison and on parole for the felony of robbery in the third degree and petit larceny. Also arrested for daring defendant to rob the establishment were another Glens Falls man and his girlfriend for the misdemeanors of criminal solicitation in the third degree.

A 21 year old Queensbury man was arrested for the felony of rape in the third degree and endangering the welfare of a child after he engaged in sexual intercourse with a 16 year old female child.

A 25 year old Hudson Falls female was charged with felony grand larceny. While being a resident in a Bay Street apartment in Glens Falls, she did steal property and commit larceny when she deprived her landlord of his 55 inch SONY big screen tv valued at $4786 by wrongfully allowing another person to take said property. It was alleged in this case that the property was payment for crack cocaine.

A 36 year old Glens Falls woman was charged with the identity theft in the second degree, a felony after she stole her sister’s personal information to obtain electrical and telephone services.

A 45 year old Glens falls man was arrested on numerous misdemeanors ranging from giving police a false statement and falsely reporting an incident. In this case, defendant lied, claiming a female whom he has a child in common with violated a restraining order, threw a bottle at defendant in the presence of their 18 month child and also grabbed defendant by the neck. In defendant’s statement, he did this only for revenge.

A 20 year old female from Albany was arrested for burglary in the second degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree, both felonies, for entering and remaining unlawfully in a Glens Falls residence stealing victims credit card then wrongfully using same to benefit only herself. There are pending charges in this case against an accomplice.

We also assisted Detective Sergeant Swartz in several narcotic investigations. One in particular was the arrest of a 51 year old male from 425 Glen Street in the city of Glens Falls after the investigation that he was "tripping" back and forth to the New York city area, picking up a quantity of powder and crack cocaine then returning to his Glens Falls apartment where he would package and sell the narcotic to feed his own cocaine addiction. Police executed a search warrant on his apartment and seized a quantity of cocaine from the residence resulting in his arrest for several felony drug related crimes.

On 8/7/07 at approximately 2 pm, police received a call from a citizen of a Glen Street apartment that when he arrived home he found a unknown male in his apartment. Resident asked the unknown male what he was doing in the house. The male indicted he was looking for someone and then ran off. Police responded in the area and eventually after a foot pursuit, a white male, later identified as William Daly was apprehended and arrested for burglary in the second degree (a felony) and resisting arrest as well as possession of marihuana. The m.o. of this suspect fit several related home invasion type crimes over the past, which we hope to link together and further charge defendant.

A 22 year old Glens Falls man was arrested for assault third and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, both misdemeanors, after an allegation that he intentionally and unlawfully restrained another male against his will then assaulting him. Incident was believed to have been drug related.

A 34 year old Hudson Falls woman was arrested for felony grand larceny in the third degree for allegedly stealing $5,980.20 from the Adirondack Vets home on Pine Street in Glens Falls where she had been an employee.

After a lengthy stalking investigation on Smith Street in Glens Falls, police arrested a 56 year old Glen Lake man for 2 counts of criminal contempt in the second degree and stalking in the 4^th degree, all misdemeanors.

Detectives arrested a 22 year old Glens Falls woman for criminal contempt second and aggravated harassment second. Defendant in this case mailed letters from Warren County Jail to several Glens Falls Police Officers in care of Officer John Norton, knowing that she has a full order of protection against her to have no contact whatsoever with Officer Norton.

The same defendant in this case also had been suspected of causing over a thousand dollars worth of damage to the front window of city hall by throwing a ratchet wrench through same. Detectives exhausted several leads and finally case was broken when defendant mailed several letters to police confessing to the crime. She was arrested for felony criminal mischief.

A 33 year old Glens Falls man was arrested for offering a false instrument for filing, a felony, after he submitted a false written instrument containing false information on a forged document which he filed with the City Clerk’s Office with the intent to defraud the NYS Liquor Authority.

Detectives arrested a 53 year old Queensbury man for burglary third, a felony, and arson 4th and criminal mischief 4^th,, misdemeanors, after he entered and remained unlawfully in the Church of Messiah located at 296 Glen Street in the city of Glens Falls and intentionally started a fire to a book rack inside the church causing damage to several church bibles, hymn and worship books.

A 47 year old Glens Falls man was arrested for felony grand larceny in the third degree after it was alleged that he stole over $3,000 from the NYS Department of Labor.

Detectives assisted the NYS Parole and the United States Marshall Service absconder unit in locating and arresting a 22 year old Hudson Falls man for absconding from his parole supervision. Subject was arrested without incident in a Queensbury residence.

Detectives arrested a 34 year old Glens Falls man for attempted grand larceny in the 2^nd degree, a felony, after an investigation into defendant making several attempts to cash several thousand dollars of counterfeit checks at Cooper’s Cave Federal Credit Union.

A 30 year old Malta man came to the police department to report that his vehicle had been stolen overnight in the Elm Street parking lot where he had parked it. Upon further investigation, it was determined vehicle in question was used in a hit and run accident. After further interview of suspect he confessed that he lied to police about car being stolen and that he had in fact been operating same.

Detectives, along with National Grid security, arrested three men who were subcontracting for National Grid for felony grand larceny after they stole a quantity of aluminum wire from a store house and sold wire to a local scrap yard.

Glens Falls Police investigated the brutal beating of a seven month old male child from Glens Falls which resulted in his murder. Arrested in this brutal crime was child’s mother, a 22 year old Bay Street woman for two counts of manslaughter in the second degree and one count of reckless endangerment, all felonies, as well as endangering the welfare of a child. Her boyfriend/roommate was arrested for the intentional murder and assault of child.

Detectives arrested a 37 year old Chestertown woman for identity theft in the third degree. Defendant stole her mother in laws social security number and date of birth to obtain credit cards from Citi and Chase banks, fraudulently using cards.

"Spread out in three Glens Falls Police Department offices is a fashionable woman’s dream: hundreds of designer handbags, sunglasses, winter coats and pieces of jewelry, bearing expensive designer names like Tiffany, Coach, Louis Vuitton and North Face." This is a quote from the local Glens Falls newspaper, The Post Star, after a two month investigation into the distributing and sale of illegal knockoff brand-name products, counterfeit goods that sell for a fraction of the price of the real stuff.

Glens Falls Police began a crackdown on "purse parties" after taking part in federal training seminars that showed a link between counterfeit goods and funding for terrorism groups. In all seven people have been charged with felonies and thousand of dollars worth of goods has been confiscated. Each faces a felony count of second degree trademark counterfeiting.

The City of Glens Falls is fortunate, in a way, that we seldom see open market drug dealers establishing a routine trade with our community. The type of dealers most often seen in the City and other communities surrounding Glens Falls are of the "closed market" style, with dealers befriending an individual or individuals with an apartment or house and with friends or acquaintances with a drug addiction. Drug dealing in apartment complexes can attract other nuisance behavior that diminishes the residents' quality of life, such as loitering; littering; trespassing; drug use; abandoned vehicles; speeding vehicles; parking problems; unwanted additional foot, car and bicycle traffic in residential neighborhoods; auto break-ins; residential and commercial burglaries. This helps explain why successfully tackling a drug market can bring about substantial decreases in crime in the surrounding area. That is why law enforcement relies so heavily on information provided by local residents who can quickly recognize and have ample opportunity to see the signs of drug use and sales in their respective neighborhood.

An example of this community / police relationship was exemplified early in 2007 in the East end of the City on Platt Street. Residents in that neighborhood were quick to recognize that there was a developing issue at 27 Platt Street. Pedestrian traffic in that area is traditionally busy due to the proximity of the bike path that runs near the residence. However, residents who have lived in that area for many years knew that something significant had changed. Information was eventually supplied that indicated that people in the residence were selling a significant quantity of cocaine and other dangerous illicit substances. Police conducted many hours of surveillance and several covert operations at the residence. That, in addition to the continued assistance of concerned neighbors eventually led to the arrest of several individuals in the residence. Most significantly police arrested Gregory Parker for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 1^st degree, New York State’s top drug charge. Parker was successfully prosecuted by the Warren County District Attorney’s Office and is currently in State Prison.

Another case in 2007 that shows how community involvement and cooperation works, combined with a effective law enforcement effort, in relating to an incident that had occurred on May Street in Glens Falls. Police had received information for years that an individual named Vincent Pace had been selling cocaine from his residence on May Street. Residents on that street were relentless in their calls to the Police about activities such as increased foot and vehicular traffic. As is sometimes the case with closed market dealers, Police found it difficult to infiltrate Pace and his operation. Eventually though, Police got a break and were able to conduct several covert operations which confirmed the complaints that had been received by community residents that Pace was a significant dealer in the community. Then, in September of 2007, Police raided Pace’s apartment on May Street and located more than 4 ounces of cocaine and thousands of dollars in US. Currency. Pace, like Parker, was also convicted in Warren County Court and will spend the next several years in a State Correctional Facility.

I have in the past mentioned some disturbing trends that are often brought to the attention of law enforcement through a variety of ways. Law enforcement in this community has noticed an increase in heroin use and sale at an alarming rate. Information indicates that people are traveling to New Jersey to purchase heroin then traveling back to the Glens Falls region to re-sell it. Heroin poses a more serious threat to the New York/New Jersey Region than it does to most other regions of the country. The heroin consumed in the New York/New Jersey Region is among the purest in the nation because of a consistent high level of direct smuggling from Colombia to the region; in New Jersey rates of abuse among young adults are more than twice the national average. It is important for parents, teachers and law enforcement to monitor the youth in our community in hopes of preventing the next drug overdose tragedy.

Our goals for 2008 are not unlike previous years. We will continue our efforts against underage alcohol sales with our Project 21 educational program. This program has been extremely successful for many years, and we will continue to educate the retail establishments in the City against the dangers of selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21. We will also continue to work with the school districts in the region to educate children about the dangers of taking and sharing prescription medication. Myself and Deputy Chief Diamond from the Hudson Falls Police Department have presented a program yearly in the Hudson Falls School District that as been extremely well received. We hope to bring the same program to the schools in Glens Falls this coming year in hopes to raise awareness of how dangerous prescription medication can be when abused.