Saratoga Springs safety commissioner: Report on protests had ‘gross inaccuracies’

The Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner is calling a state report on the city’s response to protests 2021 full of “gross inaccuracies” and “woefully incomplete.”

Tim Coll, who took office in January, issued a statement saying he met with the Attorney General’s Office regarding its report on the response to Black Lives Matter protests.  

The report said that “the SSPD responded with horse-mounted police, dozens of officers in riot gear, and an armored vehicle designed for combat in Iraq. Police fired pepper balls, shoved, tackled, and forcibly dispersed protesters.”

The report went on to say that people arrested three people, including a 16-year-old girl, for minor nonviolent offenses, Coll said.

“I look forward to working with the Office of the Attorney General to correct the report so the city can move forward in a positive direction,” Coll said in a statement.

Meantime, the Saratoga Springs mayor released this statement:

“The New York State Attorney General’s Office has released its report, findings and recommendations following its investigation into incidents which occurred in 2021 involving members of the City of Saratoga Springs Police Department. City officials are now reviewing the report, learning from its content, and proceeding with the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practices to address the recommendations made by the Attorney General’s Office.

There are several areas in the report for which the City will seek additional clarity from the Attorney General but, first and foremost, the City is committed to continuous improvement in service to the public. The Office of the Mayor is the designated City agency for the distribution of further information in regard to this matter.”

Saratoga Springs Black Lives Matter is planning a press conference on Thursday at noon to address the report.