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Resident reports assault, repeated calls to 26 Leonard Street; city says building-code and nuisance-abatement actions underway
Summary
A Glens Falls resident told the Common Council that repeated disorder at 26 Leonard Street escalated to an assault. City officials said building and codes staff have issued violations, are pursuing nuisance-abatement steps and plan to seek court-ordered closure; a court date is set for the third Wednesday of next month.
Charles Randall, who identified himself at the council meeting as a resident of 24 Leonard Street, told the Common Council that problems at 26 Leonard Street have escalated from nuisance calls to an assault that happened in daylight in his driveway.
“It's gone from from problem to being assaulted,” Randall said, describing repeated police responses to the property and saying he no longer feels safe returning home. He said his tenant and his 13-year-old son have been harassed and that police have responded “50 calls” to the house this year.
A city official responding at the meeting said the city has been pursuing the matter through the building and codes department and by using the nuisance-abatement process. The official said the property owner and a relative are currently in jail, staff have issued violations, occupants are being evicted as notices are served, and the city is seeking to shut the building down. The official urged Randall to meet with city staff and told him a court hearing is scheduled on the matter for the council’s next Third Wednesday court date.
The official said earlier cleanup efforts had been successful but the property later again attracted “squatters” and other individuals. The official encouraged neighbors to attend the court hearing and to provide statements about recent incidents.
Council discussion at the meeting confirmed the city is coordinating with police and building and codes staff. The official said animal-control issues were also reported at the property, including three unlicensed dogs, and confirmed animal-control has been contacted.
No formal motion or vote on the Leonard Street matter was recorded at the meeting; city staff described enforcement steps already under way and said the next formal step is the scheduled court appearance.
The council encouraged Mr. Randall to contact the mayor’s office for a full report and to coordinate testimony at the upcoming court hearing.
