Residents tell Glens Falls council of recurring nuisance properties, dogs, drugs and enforcement gaps

Several residents used the public-comment period to press the council for stronger and more consistent code enforcement and police follow-up on recurring nuisance properties.

Charles Randall, who gave his address as 24 Leonard Street, said trash, loose dogs and repeated police calls remain unresolved at a neighboring property despite prior court actions. “It's getting out of hand again already,” he told the council, and he said he had photographs to share with city staff. The mayor said staff would follow up, including coordinating with the police chief and the building codes department.

Adam Maynard of 58 Walnut Street gave an extended account of disturbances near his home over the past year, including alleged domestic violence, a newborn infant left in an outdoor backyard area, multiple unlicensed dogs, public drinking and people seen with firearms in front yards. Maynard said building and codes prosecutions were scheduled but that residents perceived little effective follow-up. “We called CPS. We called animal control. We called building codes. We called you, and nothing gets done,” he said. He identified an upcoming building codes hearing and shared his cellphone number with staff so officials could follow up.

Council and staff responses recorded in the meeting: the mayor and council members acknowledged the complaints, said the city has pursued prior court action including injunctions and nuisance citations on problem properties, and urged residents to contact the mayor's office and code enforcement to coordinate evidence and follow-up. City staff said property matters may involve multiple agencies (police, building codes, animal control, county social services) and that some enforcement steps can be delayed by criminal proceedings or due-process requirements.

Why it matters: sustained neighborhood disorder — trash, uncontrolled dogs, alleged drug activity and weapons complaints — raises resident safety and quality-of-life concerns and may require interagency, evidence-driven enforcement and follow-up to achieve durable compliance.

What’s next: Council members and city staff asked the residents to provide photos and contact details; staff promised to coordinate police, building codes and the police chief for site visits and to update complainants on scheduled hearings and enforcement steps.