Albany Police said they have seized over 100 guns so far this year – more than twice as many at this point in 2023 – and seized over a dozen dirt bikes.

Police Chief Eric Hawkins and Mayor Kathy Sheehan provided an update on public safety initiatives on Tuesday. This was their first news conference since the arrest of Austin Breyette, who is accused of operating a dirt bike and striking UAlbany freshman Alexa Kropf.

Police brought out boxes of guns at the media briefing to make their point. They also showed some of the more than a dozen dirt bikes they have taken off the street.

The mayor said the perception that police are doing nothing to get these bikes off the street is untrue.

“While you may not have that immediate gratification of seeing a dirt bike pulled over and the arrest made, it’s important to call us,” said Sheehan. “This horrific incident demonstrates this is not just a quality-of-life issue. This is a public safety issue, and we take it seriously,” she said.

Some of the riders live outside the city but are storing their bikes in the city, the mayor said.

Crime overall is down 17%, Hawkins said.

There have been six homicides this year compared with seven last year at this time.