DISTURBING SIGN IN SCH'DY

One can easily sympathize with the sentiments behind the sign posted
anonymously on a utility pole near 938 Emmett Street, alerting police
and other passersby to possible illegal drug activity in the upstairs
apartment.

It must be pretty frightening to have your neighborhood suddenly
overrun by an illegal drug operation and all that it entails:
unsavory-looking characters likely to be toting guns, junkies and
prostitutes driving up or walking by 'round the clock, etc.

It must also be pretty frustrating to complain about such an
operation to police, as some neighbors of the Emmett Street house
apparently did, and not see them swing into action. However, taking
the extreme step of posting a sign alleging illegal activity at a
particular house is probably inadvisable for at least a couple of
reasons.

For one thing, it's dangerous: If the claim is true, the dealer might
not appreciate the attention it will bring, and may seek retaliation.
(As Gazette reporter Mike Goodwin pointed out in his story yesterday,
the message "Kill a snitch" had been spray-painted on the side of
another Emmett Street building.)

If the claim is false, it's not only grossly irresponsible, but
slanderous. If, for example, you only had circumstantial evidence
that drugs were being sold in the place, (i.e. scuzzy-looking people
were coming and going all the time), you might find yourself the
target of a lawsuit.

Finally, as Schenectady Police Lt. Jack Falvo hinted, a sign might
damage a police investigation or sting operation, encouraging the
dealers to simply move to another location before an arrest could put
them out of business.

Unfortunately, arrests for this kind of activity can't always be made
in a hurry; without strong evidence, jurors won't convict and the bad
guys will be back on the street in no time.

But maybe the Hamilton Hill sign incident will give police an
incentive to respond a little more quickly to complaints, especially
when there are several alleging a blatant operation.