I Have personally seen officers walking over there. I used to live on Elm St for many yrs and moved to get my children out of the city. I think they should have better lighting and a few more officers on duty over that way. I was born and raised in Saratoga living most of my life on the west side and it did used to b ALOT worse.

It's the used condoms that are the real danger.

West side isnt as bad as it once was. I walk through there regularly in the late evening, and have only had problems once. And that was when someone called the cops on my friend and I when we were just talking under a street lamp, before we parted ways. Our conversation was quiet and we were not making excess noise as we were mindful of the hour. The lady whom called the police asked us to leave the spot we were talking stating she had a child trying to sleep. We left apologizing and parted ways. Two minutes later I was stopped by a cop who said I fit the description given by someone who said that 2 men were engaged in a drug deal. It took all I had not laugh in the poor police mans face who was just doing his job. Now this is not to say that there isnt some cause for concern, I too have seen the dime bags and empty cigar wrappers indicating drug use littering West side park and the surrounding area. Its up to us the citizens to watch out for our neighborhoods. If you see or hear of a problem then do as the misguided woman who called the cops in my story did and alert the authorities. Form a neighborhood watch. Our own inactivity is what allows these things to go on.

a foot patrol was common when the neighborhood was dominated by Italian restaurants

I've seen and have had suspicious people cutting through my yard and my neighbors' yards to avoid being seen in the street .
I've lived on the West Side for over 15 years and I have NEVER seen it as bad as it is now.
Level 2 sex offenders being placed near the Division Street School and on Elm Street ( a matter of public record).
There has been an increase in noise, private property damage and vandalism, litter,open containers, open marijuana consumption as people walk down the street (daytime and nighttime).
I see, on a regular basis,suspicious activity on Elm near Washington Street.
Cars with two,three, or more (up to six people) waiting-just sitting there,
In a few minutes,someone will pull up and the exchanges occur.
This location is a very popular spot for people "visiting" each other at large.
The West Side has a problem with MS-13.
Two attacks-attempted rape and attempted murder-have occurred in the last 18 months and can be found in the archives of the Saratogian.( One of the perpetrators can be seen on this Saratogian website, as he is currently listed in the news briefs on the webpage).
The West Side isn't safe or family friendly with these increasing elements in place.
There really should be a police officer walking a beat.
Like it or not, Saratoga's West Side started to deteriorate two years ago.

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2010/04/26/news/doc4bd6183e960af377161886.txt

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2012/07/12/news/doc4ffda51ba0dab317869224.txt

saratogian.com/articles/2012/07/12/news/doc4ffda51ba0dab317869224 dot txt

saratogian.com/articles/2010/04/26/news/doc4bd6183e960af377161886 dot txt

*The residents of the West Side deserves better than these pieces of filth*.

look guys, lived here just about my whole life, there are also another areas around that aren't so perfect as well. It doesn't matter were you live around here you will find the same thing no matter were you go, some spots better than others. You guys who posted it was worse 20 years ago, think 20 years from now . Example: the new price chopper car port building now blocks the sun, parking garage after parking garage, building after building, things just may just evolve fast. if ya aint a city slicker well then u might want to get out of here quick. over the past 5 years building after building creating ghetto after ghetto more homeless then ever soup kitchens jam packed shelters without vacancy the line for dss out the door. its not fare just how it is the more they build the less jobs created the more crime created. How do we solve this issues building will b built regardless what we do. Need more art without it our town is nothing and then they win so if ya draw paint play music garden ect ect.... display it. If walking down the street you c trash lying around pick it up toss it out. If instead of crying about an issue that could just end up worse than even imaginable play a role do your part if ya see someone doing something wrong say hey use your voice with kind spoken words they prolly didn't know any better to begin with. we all have a role use it b positive and help make a difference. Cause United We Stand as a country how bout our community meet each other say hey neighbor whats going on help those who need help never a man down never one behind. PEACE

This website has become an outlet for the discussion of DEVIATE BEHAVIOR in Saratoga.
There is no excuse whatsoever for this disgusting conduct anywhere.
Slacking knuckledragger, unhealthy and unsanitary public displays should carry a more severe fine than a misdemeanor.

These issues need to be addressed.
A crowded city would have no use or tolerance for ignoramus actions.
MS-13 is an evil group.
WAKE UP.These problems were never here before.

public displays of drunkeness happen sorry it happens but un-called for acts of violence are def uncalled for u should know real facts before putting blame lived here for nearly 2 decades random things happen around here all the time and yes there may b no excuse for it wat about the girl on the track team who was almost abducted the two murders that happend at the prime and comunity court these are random acts of violence do to i don't have an explanation it happens every were time to time

The police are now finding unconscious,unresponsive people flattened out right in front of the LOCAL.
Add this to the comments posted here,and you're seeing the natural progression of crime introduced into an area.
http://saratogian.com/articles/2012/07/28/news/doc5013eff600cc9583270546.txt

This person was lucky.He was this close ][ to being a cadaver.
IT'S GETTING WORSE by the day,week,month.
Keep sticking your head in the sand.