Saratoga Finally Takes A Stand On Homeless Problem

Last evening, the Saratoga Springs city council passed an ordinance banning encampments on city parking including sidewalks and parking garages. This is great news and a step in the right direction. But will it save Saratoga from becoming like San Fransico in the near future? Let’s discuss.

Over the past several years the homeless problem has increased exponentially, and I have been complaining about it for a long time. I have sympathized with local business owners and tourists who have been subjected to groups of panhandlers in downtown Saratoga Springs.

I recently parked my car in the Woodlawn Garage and made the mistake of getting in the elevator there. The condition of the elevator was disgusting. This is Saratoga, not Schenectady. It’s Unacceptable. The homeless should be made to clean it up.

I realize that this is an emotionally charged issue for some, but this is an ongoing problem that has multiple layers. The Democrats love issues like this and have no intention of allowing a crisis like this to go to waste as they run on these platforms to extract $$$$ from taxpayers in the way of grants. And if you know anything about non-profits, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GRANT MONEY.

Saratoga Springs was affordable to working class people like me until about ten years ago. I saw how developers were given the green light to build luxury apartments that cost nearly two-thousand dollars a month. One such place was called Tait Reserve. They couldn’t find enough tenants who could afford that, so they HAD TO CHANGE the requirements, had to REDUCE THE RENT and they are now called the Reserve. When was the last time that you read that in the paper?

You didn’t and you won’t because no one but me will call attention to it.

Now they allow all kinds of people in there and eventually it will become like the Intrada (on Washington Street near the Post office) which is just a complete shitshow. Nothing but problems there. Don’t believe me? Call the SSPD and get a printout of how many times the SSPD had been called to that address.

My criticism with this business model is that Saratoga Springs has forsaken the working class (people like me) for what I have been calling the non-working class for decades. You know, those who used to be working class who sold out for the monthly government assistance which became a permanent reality in their lives.

The property managements companies and various non-profits get grant money to house the mentally ill, neurodivergent, drug addicted and assorted lay-abouts. They don’t get grant money by renting to tenants like me, responsible, reliable, quiet, low key etc.

That is essentially why the public has seen a surge in homelessness. Many have been tenants at places like Intrada, Stonequist, Raymond Watkins, and once they have caused too many problems there, they eventually get evicted and become homeless.

But that is a direct result of taking a lesser qualified tenant with absolutely no hope for a return on investment (they are never going to volunteer in the community or give back in any meaningful way.) It’s just a money grab and the residents of Saratoga Springs have no idea that it’s happening all around them. What you permit, you promote.

Tell me how any city becomes better at ridding themselves of the working class and lower middle classes. And then, catering to individuals who have no intention of working or contributing.

It doesn’t.

This anti-camping ordinance is a step in the right direction, but it won’t solve the problem of homelessness. I am tired of hearing about the drug addicts and homeless persons ‘rights’. What about the rights of everyone else?

If I have to pay to park my car in a city garage, then I also have the right to not have the garage or elevator in garage smell like urine and feces.

The homeless should be given an opportunity to clean themselves up and find a job. They should be given a deadline. If they are unable or unwilling to do so than they can be put to work for the city that they continue to benefit from. (free food at soup kitchen, the generosity of cash from passersby etc.) I am not opposed to jailing these individuals but even that idea is costly to the taxpayer.

Saratoga Springs is one of the best small cities in all of New York State and I hate the thought of it being ruined.

I am tired of the freeloading space-taker-uppers. What are your thoughts on this issue?

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