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Kayakers rescue colt sculptureSaratoga Springs-- Work of art stolen from Broadway found beneath Thruway bridge |
By DENNIS YUSKO Staff writer First published: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 A mellow kayak trip down the Schoharie Creek
with friends turned into a rescue adventure for a Schenectady woman, her family and
friends after they spotted a stolen colt sculpture that had been missing from its spot on
Broadway for a week. |
Spa City plots fight on vandals Saratoga SpringsThree people arrested in theft of horse sculpture, but more steps needed, officials sayBy KENNETH C. CROWE II, Staff writer First published: Friday, August 2, 2002 An announcement that three Amsterdam residents have been arrested by city police for stealing a small colt sculpture off Broadway on July 20 was greeted with loud applause from about 50 people meeting Thursday at city hall to discuss battling vandalism. While the arrests Thursday of Eric P. Ross II, 20, Christopher D. Villanova, 18, and a 15-year-old girl allegedly resolved the mystery of who abducted the flower-painted colt named "My Petit Fleur" on July 20, it did not resolve the community debate over vandalism. Though the meeting was called by Democratic Mayor Ken Klotz, Republican Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Curley drove the agenda, saying that reports of vandalism and related crimes are on the decline. Curley also outlined possible remedies, nearly all of which called for getting the community involved in looking out for and reporting vandals. "People are making a lot of assumptions," Curley said. "This police department works hard to make Saratoga Springs a safe city." Klotz, who has received criticism from police officers about his recent call for increased patrols downtown, said, "The police department, the individual police officers do a great job." Curley cited department statistics showing complaints about disorderly conduct, vandalism, graffiti and similar crimes have declined, from 631 in 1998 to 548 in 1999 to 525 in 2000 and to 413 in 2001. He said the incidents appear to be trending lower this year. The concerns about vandalism have come about as a result of vandalism to five of the 23 horse sculptures along Broadway. Dee Sarno, executive director of the Saratoga County Arts Council, which is backing the horse exhibit, said similar sculptures have been vandalized in other cities. The city's bar and restaurant owners had a strong presence at the forum called by Klotz. Previous discussions by the mayor and other officials to have the bars close at 2 a.m. instead of 4 a.m. drew the owners. "It's been blown out of proportion considering the number of people we have in town," John Baker, owner of Gaffney's on Caroline Street, said. Jim Hogan, owner of Newberry's on Broadway, said, "They put 23 horses out on Broadway. The police department is stretched to the maximum." Hogan said the bars are not to blame. Other owners repeated this refrain, saying that cutting two hours of business would not hurt only them but their employees and the city economy. They have agreed to work with the city and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce about possible actions to take. The proposals made by Curley included creation of a reward fund for reporting vandalism, which chamber President Joseph Dalton said would be in place shortly. Curley also recommended a neighborhood watch program for Broadway; getting cab drivers to report any crimes, which is being done; hire temporary employees; and installing surveillance cameras, which Curley said he opposes. Curley is to report back at the City Council meeting Tuesday on these and any other suggestions. Ross and Villanova were charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and petit larceny and are to appear this morning in City Court. They face up to four years in prison if convicted. The 15-year-old's case was sent to Family Court. Patrick Hutchins, a 22-year-old Skidmore College junior, was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday for allegedly stealing and vandalizing another horse sculpture. |
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