The Pine Hills neighborhood in Downtown Albany, NY, once a vibrant area, has become increasingly more dangerous due to the loosening of local crime laws, a diminished police presence, and a lack of actionable support from elected city officials.

Many long term residents, along with a consistent wave of UAlbany and the College of Saint Rose students have lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years, and are now frightened to do so due to recent acts of violence.  

The City’s elected officials, the police department, and UAlbany are simply not doing enough to ensure the safety of the residents in the neighborhood. UAlbany continues to invest millions of dollars into its Downtown campus, while they watch the nearby neighborhood become overwhelmed with crime. It’s time for a change, and it’s time for accountability to be placed on the key stakeholders of the neighborhood in an effort to improve the safety of its residents. 

By signing this petition you are voicing your concern, and requesting action from elected city officials, UAlbany, the police department, and key stakeholders to develop and implement a multi-pronged plan that should be designed to improve neighborhood safety.

We request that strong consideration be given towards:

- Facilitating the placement of live security cameras and emergency / surveillance call boxes / posts throughout the neighborhood

- Increasing the police presence in the neighborhood throughout all hours of the day (most importantly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night)

- Improving the street lighting throughout the neighborhood

- Installing fencing around Madison Park, which should be officially closed at dusk

- Requiring an 11pm curfew for select local businesses that promote loitering