Saratoga Springs group upset over city, police enforcement

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A group of anonymous residents is demanding a town hall meeting and accusing Saratoga Springs of discrimination and "over-policing" the area along Redwood Road.

In an e-mail sent to Mayor Mia Love, the group said the city and its police officers are targeting some residents by assessing fines, taking pictures of homes, inspecting property and pulling residents over "just to check us out."

But city officials said most of that is consistent with enforcing city codes that require residents to put in yards and keep them weed-free.

"We do try to obtain compliance, but there's absolutely no discrimination," said City Manager Ken Leetham.

The city forwarded the complaint to the police department, Leetham said.

The group had said it would campaign against Love's re-election if a town hall meeting was not called within 10 days. But Leetham said officials had contacted the person who sent the e-mail, explained the city's position and said they would be open to meeting with residents.

— Justin Ritter