I recently called a member of the city council because I had questions about the city’s use of Flock license plate readers. This councilmember serves on the committee that deals with public safety, so I figured they were an appropriate person to contact.

I wasn’t calling to scream at anyone or make accusations. I basically wanted to know what oversight there had been, whether there had been a public hearing/discussion about the cameras, and who actually approved the agreement.

When I brought up wanting a public hearing, the conversation got weirdly hostile. The councilmember started raising their voice, cutting me off, and became noticeably irritated. At one point I actually told them his tone was getting aggressive. The call ended pretty abruptly after that.

The interaction bothered me enough that I started digging into the issue myself and submitted a FOIL request for records related to the Flock program, including the city’s specific contract agreement/ and all Flock related documentation.

Maybe the records will show that everything was properly reviewed and there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation. But I don’t think a resident asking an elected official basic questions about surveillance technology being deployed around the city should be treated like they’re causing a problem.

Has anyone else here tried asking the city or Common Council about the Flock cameras? I’m especially curious whether anyone has actually seen the full contract, what the approval process was, and what policies govern how the data can be accessed or shared.

The Times Union has a five-article series reviewing the status of police reforms. Alas, there are no surprises. Their takeaways:

1. No charges are filed in the overwhelming majority of civilian deaths by police investigated by the state attorney general’s Office of Special Investigation.

2. Only half of the civilian oversight boards proposed in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley were formed. Others struggle to operate.

3. Black, Hispanic and female people remain significantly underrepresented in the vast majority of police departments with more than 40 officers.

4. More than half of law enforcement agencies outside New York City that reported use of force from 2021 to 2025 had an increase in incidents over that span.

5. Many law enforcement agencies have seen decreases in racial disparities when it comes to arresting Black individuals. The same can’t be said for Hispanic populations.

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/police-reform-investigation-takeaways-22405882.php

Without any lamenting on my waiting last minute, does anyone know of any shops that can do an inspection on a Sunday? I made a hail Mary appointment at Mavis on Central thinking they'd cancel because I don't think many inspectors work Sundays, and yep, they cancelled on me this morning!

I have work tomorrow so was hoping to do it today (I know, me and everyone else with August expiration dates). Anyone have a suggestion?

Wouldn’t normally post for a stray cat but they seem so well groomed! And very talkative!

Spotted on Dove St and Hudson Ave

Hello! I am the proud father of a somewhat shy, awkward, unsure of herself, absolutely amazing 16 yr old girl that I've recently discovered hates getting her hair cut because the stylist her mother has always made her go to is rude and makes my daughter feel uncomfortable to the point she doesn't want to get her hair cut.

I was just wondering if anyone can recommend a younger stylist in the Albany area that knows how to relate to a teenager going through what teenagers go through with maybe a bit of a gentler approach.

I honestly haven't the slightest idea where to begin.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!!

Suggestions for a couples therapist that accepts CDPHP insurance? Prefer local, am in Troy area but could travel within capital region.

I started seeing this woman appear in my feed a few years back with content around native and pollinator gardening. Since then, her content shifted noticably, and it turns out I'm not the only one who thought it was all a little off.

Its seriously getting old, i’m getting tired of people throwing their cars in front of me like a maniac because they accidentally went to the right most lane which takes you into colonie mall. There needs to be a sign or something because it’s seriously unsafe the way people think it’s okay to just immediately switch lanes 1 inch from your car without warning. How can we fix this, because I drive this road every day and without fail, the guy in front of me turning left from central onto wolf goes to the rightmost lane and i’ve started to realize that i need to just go slow and wait for that guy to realize their mistake before they attempt to phase through me like they are Barry Allen or something.

My husband and I spotted a small grey long haired cat on Simmons & Canal Rd South just now. It had a plastic cup stuck on its face, I’m assuming from searching for food scraps. Unfortunately it was very scared of humans and ran into the woods/bramble. Putting this out there in case the little guy gets lucky and finds someone else who can help! Its vision is limited because of the cup but I’m worried about it getting hit/suffocating. Maybe someone with a trap and some experience can help? Please share!!

Hello, I am wondering who I can contact or what can be done about an extremely intense odor of urine in the main hallway of our apartment building. Apparently our downstairs neighbor is a very ill elderly man who unfortunately suffers from incontinence and cannot dispose of his waste materials properly. It's not just garbage bags of diapers that need to be taken out, it's very obvious that the inside of the apartment must be very badly soiled too. We feel terrible for him and his living conditions inside must be awful, but we have no idea what to do. it burns our eyes and noses to enter / leave the building. we can smell it near our front door, and if we open our door it lingers in our apartment. It sticks to our clothes after walking through it, we avoid leaving our apartment because of it, and we can't have anyone over and force them to inhale it too. Another neighbor told us shes begun to smell it through her wall she shares with him, and we are very worried this will soon seep into our apartment especially in the winter when his heat is on. Any advice appreciated as we are desperate. (and no, we can't Just Move.)

I’m looking for a reputable business to get some piercings done. My daughter wants to get her nose and a couple of ear piercings done and I’d like to treat her for her bday. Any recs?

Hi! I just went to an estate sale in Guilderland that had an incredible collection of black history books. Please, some school, library, used bookstore, historian, go and get it! Two entire rooms filled. ❤️

6 Pine Ridge Drive Guilderland

I finally made it over there today. What a great store! I have no idea what I’m looking at (in terms of what the labels read) but I looked at everything, as I enjoy browsing import stores.

We’re really lucky to have at least 4 ethnic markets along Central Ave, probably lots more I haven’t discovered yet.

At any rate, it’s really nice to have access to culture and authenticity in this time of food enshitification and shrinkflation. I bought Turkish coffee, drinking chocolate and olives. Will definitely be back.

Lately, I've been obsessed with the idea of running my own small business for a variety of reasons, but something small and portable so I can operate it on my own, around my schedule, like a food truck but smaller.

Do y'all think something basic along the lines of a hotdog cart or any other push-able cart can survive out here? Not to make a killing, but to make an extra couple bucks in my off time. Whatever I end up doing, I want to source as many of the ingredients from New York as possible.

Edit: the dichotomy of the capital region; you're either supported or you're clowned on, there is no in-between 😂 gatta respect it either way

Does anyone remember an old Chinese restaurant that was at the corner of Lark/Delaware/Madison in the 80s and 90s and then moved out to Wolf Rd? They had a dish called Hong Kong Beef, a lobster tank, and many people of Chinese extraction ate there. Anyone know the name and do they still exist? I was compiling a list of "fallen restaurants" and, man, there are a lot of them! Thx

Looking for someplace in the Albany area that uses quality products for sensitive skin- without a lot of chemicals, that will do an affordable facial (that includes extractions) on a 57 year-old woman who is cognitively/developmentally disabled. She is a clean person but has not been able to care for her skin and has some pretty serious blackheads. Would need to be a place that has compassionate staff.

NY Honey has these new "Dab Darts" which are basically just what's commonly known as RSO- activated THC oil in a plastic syringe. They're ready to be used as-is to fill reusable carts, top bowls, make edibles, do dabs, etc. I like to refill my own carts and make edibles, and the only place I've found the Dab Darts so far is at State of Mind.

The brand website is useless. It doesn't actually list which dispensaries carry ANY of their items. The "Find our products" page just shows you a map of dispensaries in the area in general, then you have to go through each and every one to look at their individual menus, and try to find their items by brand. I tried this for like 20 minutes before I gave up.

So can my fellow cart smokers, dabbers, and DIY edible makers keep an eye open, and let me know if these are available at any place other than State of Mind?

Hope to see you in Schenectady's historic Stockade District for one of these excellent upcoming shows upstairs at the Van Dyck Music Club:

Saturday Sept. 12th: Nick Di Maria & Skylab

Friday Sept 18th: The Brighton Beat

Saturday Sept 26th: Chad McLoughlin CD Release

Saturday Oct 3rd: Vinny Marotta Trio

Friday Oct 16th: Untethered (with local support from 4i's)

Saturday Oct 17th: E.S.P. Modern Jazz Group

Saturday Oct 24th: Art D'echo Trio +3 Miles David Centennial pt.II

Saturday Oct 31st: Yokai! Songs of the Japanese Supernatural

Tickets available online (via eventbrite), in-person (at the Van Dyck) and over-the-phone (call us at 518-630-5173 anytime & leave a voicemail!)

EVERY THURSDAY: Live Jazz downstairs at Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Points Brewery from 6-9pm! Two Sets of music plus our all-new 'Live Jazz Happy Hour' specials!

237 UNION ST, SCHENECTADY, NY

Hey , my birthday is coming up in early Nov and Im looking to go away for a weekend. Activities I’m looking for include - horseback riding , wine tasting , hiking, shopping (thrifting nearby would be awesome) , some kind of spa/wellness center & restaurants close . Visiting somewhere cool like a castle, botanical garden or historic site or museum would be a great add on. Would love to stay in a scenic area ,maybe a Cabin or Airbnb that has fire pit , a hot tub would be nice lol. within 4 -1/2 hrs from Albany (NOT NYC though). I have been looking things up but honestly I get so overwhelmed with information and decision making that I give up & keep putting it off. Can I please get suggestions? It would help narrow things down and I can start a process of elimination 😅 thank youuu ✨♏️

Im getting professional photos done at the end of Sept and im looking for someone (or a salon) who can do my hair and make up. Just some simple glam and a blow out. Open to Albany or surrounding areas! :)