Beat 17

Ever since St. Peter's made a policy of "no smoking" on hospital grounds, their employees have been crossing the street to smoke under the canopies of the businesses along New Scotland Avenue. In doing so, they drop their cigarette butts and gum all over the sidewalk. The business owners have complained to Saint Peter's to no avail.

This is not only a health hazard for residents walking along the sidewalk and having to breathe cigarette smoke, but going in and out of any business is also unpleasant. The clouds of smoke hover, and customers should not have to be exposed to this unpleasantness. It wasn't so bad when the policy began but this winter dozens of smokers congregated regularly in front of Subway, and yesterday the sidewalks were a disgrace.

I suggest the city make a NO SMOKING area from the corner of New Scotland at South Manning, to New Scotland at West Lawrence. Punishable by a fine.

Saint Peter's has a responsibility to create a smoking area for their employees. Their problem should not compromise taxpaying businesses.

A youth rides his mini bike up and down the streets all around this neighborhood, pretty much daily. On 8/8 during a block party, he started riding down the dead-end block of Glendale, which was barricaded for the party. My wife said he shouldn’t be riding down the street with all the people and kids, and his response was “I’ll beat the $h!t out of you if tell me hat again.” I have heard he also threatened someone who took a picture of him riding his mini bike with violence. Called the police, but they didn’t even take my wife’s name.

The crosswalk on New Scotland Ave at the intersection of New Scotland and Grove is extremely dangerous for pedestrians. A pedestrian triggered or activated light is needed, as the recent signs that have been installed are not working. Cars are continuously speeding through this intersection when pedestrians are crossing and I’m afraid that someone will be severely injured if hit by a speeding car. As a family with two children under the age of 5, we walk the neighborhood every day, including back and forth to New Scotland Elementary School and are concerned with the lack of a light at this intersection/crosswalk

Sidewalk blocked completely by hedges. When I went to post this seeclickfix said there were already 2 posts regarding it that hadn't been closed. Great work City of Albany.

I just watched DGS throw my recycling in with the garbage, then go down the street doing the same with all my neighbors. I heard reports that the same thing happened in other neighborhoods yesterday.

Just curious if the city will do anything at 220 West Erie. The hoarding is out of control making it difficult to even walk along the side walk. Also noticed some trash on the lot with a skunk going through it the other night.

The property is an eyesore, and in danger of more rodents and vermin being attracted to the many rotting plants and garbage, and multiple stick piles along the house.

It's great that St. Peter's has a no smoking policy for their campus. Except for any and all neighbors of the surrounding campus. Employees, contractors and patients alike simply exit the perimeter of St. Peter's to smoke their cigarettes. The result is an excessive and abundant ring of cigarette butts and litter surrounding the campus. Why should the neighbors of St. Peter's have to deal with St. Peter's litter?? This is a classic example of good rule gone bad and unintended consequences. As neighbors of St. Peter's we are sick of the the cigarette filled sidewalks on front of Dunkin Donuts, The US Post Office, Maria College, Temple Israel, Key Bank... the list goes on.

We ask the board of St. Peter's - why should these fine business and institutions have to deal with the litter of your employees and customers? Let them smoke on your own property and YOU CLEAN IT UP!

St. Peter's, we look forward to your response and dedication to solving this issue for your neighbors.

Unlawful walking of Dogs on Private Property where children play. Leaving dog feces in bags on the middle of sidewalk in the middle of the block and in front of businesses instead of placing it in trash bin.

Overit Media is now a music recording venue. Large group of rappers performing on the street at 11:45-12:30 Sunday night/Monday morning.

Twice this week I saw whoever was driving the vehicle in the picture cross double yellow lines with oncoming traffic in order to speed past vehicles that were following the law (and common sense) by going 20 mph near a park and waiting for a person in a wheelchair to finish crossing the street. I sure hope they are stopped before they cause a head-on collision or run over a pedestrian.

In the meantime, drivers and pedestrians beware!

(BTW, my best guess is that this person lives in the suburbs west of Albany because we happened to be going the same way for awhile.)

This is the current state of the crosswalk across from New Scotland Elementary. I have reported this in the past. This is ridiculous! I am currently shoveling a path so people can get through.