Michele Madigan’s campaign for Mayor of Saratoga Springs has focused on a narrative that Mayor John Safford wants to imprison the homeless rather than work with RISE and other groups to address their condition.
In an email blast, Madigan wrote, “…our email that went out today calling out Mayor Safford for believing incarceration is the best cure for our homeless.”
This is a stunning allegation for which Madigan has been unable to provide any documentation.
When pressed by this blogger to substantiate this very serious accusation, the best she could do was to text me a reference to a Wendy Liberatore article from the May 8, 2025, Times Union. She wrote:
You are deliberately being obtuse on this issue. Here is the quote from the Times Union and I know you’ve had this corroborate off the record,but that’s not good enough for you.
Times Union May 8: “On Tuesday, however, the mayor said at the City Council meeting that he was only in favor of incarceration if an unhoused person was not willing to get help from RISE after appearing in homeless court.”
Text from Madigan
The homeless court referred to is the Outreach Court presided over by Judge Francine Vero. This court exclusively deals with homeless persons who have committed some kind of violation or crime. The court’s goal is to link the defendants with RISE services rather than send them to jail. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for RISE to assist defendants. In a case on the day I observed the proceedings, the RISE representative told Judge Vero that her organization had tried to work with a person but without success, and therefore, a referral to them was not possible. Judge Vero then had no choice but to sentence the person to jail. The defendant has the right to refuse to work with RISE, but that would mean Judge Vero sentencing them to jail.
So Madigan’s claim that the TU reference she cites proves Mayor Safford believes that “incarceration is the best cure for our homeless ” is just bizarre and doesn’t make sense. Is Madigan critical of Judge Vero for resorting to sending people to jail who have committed some kind of crime, who, for some reason, RISE cannot help because this is exactly the process the TU quotes the Mayor being in favor of?
I don’t see how you get from the Times Union quote to the idea that Safford wants to just put all the homeless in jail. This quote does not support her claim that Safford is a heartless official who just wants to punish the homeless, yet this is the only evidence they have produced to support the theme being repeated by Madigan and her campaign.
For me, the best response to Madigan’s campaign came from her fellow Democratic Committee member, Patty Morisson.
I’ve been very quiet on this issue, sitting back and watching the misinformation. I did myself the favor of picking up the phone and asking Mayor Stafford his position as the word on the street is Mayor Stafford aligned with incarceration.
In our conversation I learned nothing could be further from the truth. In fact he wants to see more services available for those who are incarcerated for short intervals. They need help when they get out.
I’m not here to pick sides. I’m commenting because I don’t like when I know the truth and it’s not reported correctly. Call me principled, but the facts and truth matters to me.
The mayor is committed to providing housing and services that support long-term stability for our most vulnerable residents.
If you have any doubt please do us all a favor and call the Mayor yourself, and stop politicizing this topic. Thank you.
Patti Morrison responding to Michele Madigan and Gordon Boyd on Boyd’s Facebook Page
Text Exchange Between Madigan and Blogger
Blogger: You have repeatedly made accusations like this: “…our email that went out today calling out Mayor Safford for believing incarceration is the best cure for our homeless.” Can you cite where Safford has advocated jail over RISE or other services? And you wrote: “I mean I’m not the one who believes homeless should be incarcerated for at least thirty days so they’re forced into the county substance-abuse program, that would be Safford.” Could you cite supporting evidence that Safford advocated this?
Michele: Yes, the Times Union. You may also wanna call RISE. I have nothing more to say on the topic. It’s true he believes incarceration is the right way forward for our homeless. Thank you. Goodbye.
Blogger: Where in the Times Union? Please identify the date of the article. Do you have some document from RISE?
Michele: On Tuesday, however, the mayor said at the city council meeting that he was only in favor of incarceration if an unhoused person was not willing to get help from RISE after appearing in homeless court. RISE sent a letter to all elected officials about elected official believing incarceration of the homeless is the answer.
Blogger: There is nothing in the Times Union that says the mayor believes “incarderation is the best solution for the homeless.” No where in the RISE letter is this claim made. The mayor did observe that if a defendant in Vero’s court declines RISE services she will, if appropriate, sentence them to jail. This is a fact. This has nothing to do with promoting jail time over RISE.
Michele: That’s your opinion, thank you. What he s says is clear. You can talk to RISE for more info and ask them for the letter they sent to council. Wanting to lock people up because they refuse services also isn’t the answer.
Saratoga Springs Politics 
Wow, Madigan really throwing RISE under the bus.
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Thanks Patti Morrison. It takes a lot of courage to seek the truth rather than espouse the unsubstantiated rhetoric of a candidate supported by your political committee.
If I were Mayor Safford, I would take this opportunity to use his access to the media and to the community at large to discuss this issue. He should be taking every opportunity to discuss his opponent’s claims that he believes that the best solution to homelessness is incarceration.
The people for whom the low barrier shelter on Adelphia Street and the Code Blue Program are intended are primarily individuals who are not able to make good life decisions due to various combinations of alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness. These are diseases. Rational people would not decide to live their lives on the street. It is not an easy life. RISE and Shelters of Saratoga are available for those who decide to avail themselves of these programs, often after they ‘hit bottom’. Sadly, many never take that step.
Judge Vero’s Outreach Court is one of few approaches that can actually work to overcome the denial which characterizes these conditions. A person who commits a crime is given the option of going into a treatment program rather than being incarcerated. It is a ‘carrot and stick’ approach that sometimes works and has a track record of changing people’s lives for the better.
Michele Madigan is right about one thing. Incarceration in a typical jail or correctional facility is cruel and unusual punishment for mentally ill people. They are often preyed upon in such settings and their conditions usually deteriorate. There are far too many people currently in the NYS Correctional System who would be better served in facilities geared to dealing with the mentally ill. However, ignoring their crimes or failing to prosecute when crimes have been committed is not the solution. Such an approach ‘enables’ these individuals to continue their unlawful and disruptive behavior and, ultimately, helps them avoid ‘hitting their bottom’ which could result in a change in course.
Chris Mathiesen
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As a retired 30-year CASAC, former OASAS-certified ethics trainer, and current college-level instructor in addiction studies, I feel compelled to respond to troubling assertions recently amplified in public forums — particularly in this blog.
Mayor Safford’s suggestion that individuals refusing entry into the RISE program should be jailed as a form of motivation (paraphrased) has been concerning. While he has made a recent statement in an attempt to clarify, it cannot be denied (despite efforts by Kaufman and a few others) that he initially stated this belief. This reflects a troubling misunderstanding of both the nature of addiction and the ethical boundaries of treatment. Forcing individuals into withdrawal without proper medical oversight is not only cruel, it is dangerous. Jail should not be used as a tool to compel treatment. Such an approach is not only unethical — it may well be illegal.
To be clear: when a defendant in Judge Vero’s Homeless Court declines RISE services, the judge, in her discretion, may sentence them to jail if there is a compelling criminal act. But to suggest jail as a first-line motivator reveals a lack of understanding that, coming from the office of the Mayor, is concerning.
It’s also essential to address the unfair characterization of Michele Madigan’s positions. I have known Michele for years as have you. Her perspective, particularly on the treatment of the unhoused, addicted, and mentally ill, is informed, humane, and supported by research. Her approach centers on compassion, evidence-based practices, and long-term solutions — not short-term punishments.
Ms. Morrison, despite her statement that she is not taking sides, I respectfully (as respectful as I can muster) disagree. Ms. Morrison has shown herself to be a foe of Michele Madigan for the last several years with no attempt to hide that.
Why did it take so long for Mayor Safford to speak? Leadership demands more. Transparency and communication are vital components of the office, and it is disappointing to see Mayor appear to hide behind a blog author.
This is about the ethical and humane treatment of people who are often marginalized and misunderstood. It is about recognizing addiction and mental illness as medical conditions — not moral failures.
Michele Madigan has consistently exemplified those values. She deserves better than attacks and misrepresentations. So do the people we are all supposed to be fighting for.
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