There's a war being waged here in Albuquerque... Ok, so war may be too strong a word but we liked the alliteration and weekend isn't exactly accurate either unless you consider Wednesday through Saturday the weekend. The battles are taking place downtown and there are 8 to 10 of them every night.
Albuquerque's downtown area between the railroad tracks and 8th Street has become an entertainment district through the efforts of the city, the Downtown Action Team, developers, and business owners. It's become like any number of urban entertainment districts around the country. And like many of them Downtown Albuquerque has become a magnet for crime.
Our Eyes tell us that there are 8 to 10 incidents every night between Wednesday and Saturday. To handle the volume of nefarious night time activity, APD has SWAT, K-9, and mounted patrol complete with 4 mounted officers and a sergeant. In addition, they will add DWI and traffic when necessary.
That's a lot of police presence for a relatively small area of town. But with the high number of incidents in the area even with APD's show of force, it's probably justified.
Of course the police presence is visible - it's meant to be. Besides it's kind of hard to hide a horse. Visibility is important - it keeps the honest, honest and it makes criminals work harder to find their victims.
Recently, that visibility has come under fire and the Almighty Alcalde has ordered APD to reduce their visibility somewhat. The new rules for downtown patrol include dictate that officers are never to walking more than two abreast and not to parking within one block north or south of Central.
At first glance one might think that the new rules don't seem too burdensome. Let's be honest, the walking two abreast thing is just plain silly. However, forcing officers to park their vehicles over a block away is dangerous. In an emergency officers must run to their vehicles to access their life-saving equipment - which doesn't seem to matter either unless you are the one in need of that assistance.
There's little doubt that Albuquerque's Downtown entertainment corridor needs the police protection - the question is should the City of Albuquerque be providing the additional services for free and at the expense of the safety of those who live in the Valley Command?
Right now, Downtown is the priority for the Valley Command. If officers are unavailable for Downtown duty due to training, illness, or vacation, they're taken from field services. That means if you live in the Valley you're the second priority and will have to wait longer when there are force deficiencies Downtown.
Many of the bars around town have additional police protection. The difference is that these officers are paid for by those establishments through Chief's Overtime. The cost for Downtown's additional security rests squarely on the shoulders of the tax payers and at the expense of Valley residents.
There's got to be a better solution. The taxpayers of the valley pay for service that they're not receiving, while the Central entertainment district gets premium protection at no additional expense. Not to mention the fact that the politicians on the 11th floor should not be getting involved at all in how that additional service is provided.
It's a tough problem to solve. Downtown represents everything the city is trying to do. It's an urban environment where people can live, work, and play. It's also an environment where crime is a problem and protecting the public has become a political function rather than a law enforcement endeavor.
What we can tell you is that the Downtown area should not be the determining factor in the force structure of the entire command, the people living in the Valley should not be put at risk because of the Downtown area, and politicians should stay out of how the police do their jobs.
48 comments:
why the hell hasnt it become a chiefs overtime issue? to make field officers and specialized units do this is outrageous and makes no sense at all.. and to have officers park away from their patrol area is downright dangerous. it just goes to show you that the chief has made this department and its officers completely disposable.. so much for officer safety.. thanks chief!
Run a block to get life saving equipment?? Huh? I drive one of those cars & I'm not sure what you are talking about. If it's first aid equipment there is always AFD close by. I think you are reaching here....
Come down to 4th/Central around 1am and see if the police aren't needed on a fri/sat night. It's a joke and it's not the cops I'm talking about...
This is called free security for the bars downtown. You wont find this anywhere else in the entire city.
Put some responsibility on the bars owners!
THE MAYOR AND CHIEF ARE GOING TO GET AN OFFICER HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THERE STUPID IDEAS. THE MAYOR IS ONE PERSON, BUT HAS TWO ABREAST SECURITY. WHY DOESN'T THAT LITTLE COWARD GET RID OF THEM!
IF THE CHIEF CARED ABOUT HIS PEOPLE, HE WOULD STEP UP AND NOT PLACE HIS OFFICER'S IN DANGER!
I agree, without extra officers all crowded together who is going to watch the women while the others run to get the donuts??? get real....If you are that afraid of getting hurt, then you need to get a different job. Go sell cars or flowers.
Of greater concern than life saving equip. is the other equipment that is left a few blocks away to be damaged, vandalized or stolen while officers are tied up with the drunks.
It should be Chief's overtime. Downtown business' have benefited for years from this free service. It's all part of Marty's EDO ploy.
I have friends that live downtown and now are sorry they bought down there. They said the cops bully everyone. If they see them they cross the street to avoid them. It's a complete mess down there.
And who ever posted about life saving, call AFD, that's not the point. The cops having to run a block for their own life or that of a citizens, to get equipment is just ridiculous.
I happen to be a bar owner downtown and I have a great relationship with the Officers who patrol downtown. They do the best with what they are given...unfortunately, decisions get made from the top without taking into consideration what really goes on in the trenches, or 4th and Central.
Just to clarify something...a few comments made reference to the police downtown being free security for the bars/bar owners. Once our patrons walk out of our doors we can no longer interfere with anything that might take place. If my security get involved with any altercations (i.e. breaking up a fight or whatever else you can imagine) they are personally held liable. They can be sued, personally; they can be arrested...they could become another victim. What happens in the confines of my bar is my responsibility, what happens outside the confines of my bar, is the City of Albuquerque's responsibility.
Revitalizing downtown with wall to wall shit hole bars was a huge mistake. Then again better down there in that slum than elsewhere around the city. keep all of the rift raft and low lows where they belong. Little 'no class Mexico.'
I am concerned as a citizen living in the Saw Mill Area that my safety is in danger because the police are all down town protecting the bar owners! Well, I pay my taxes and have lived in this area for 30 years. I have read the police response times are way down. With all the police watching the bar crowd, how long will it take for them to come to my area of town should we need them? I was told by an officer in our area that there are no officers working in our community during the weekend nights and it would take a considerable amount of time to respond to help.
Mayor and Chief of Police, you should be protecting your community before the bar patrons who chose to put themselves out there asking for problems!
Why don't you have them hire private security, or are they putting money in your pockets to run for re-election!
I'm sure downtown hasn’t changed much, but a few years ago when I had worked there, weekends were a mess then. It is my opinion that neo-prohibition is now visiting us, and if history repeats itself, crime will increase like in the days of the first prohibition. I think that is what we are observing. History tells us things had improved to a more acceptable condition after the 18th amendment was repealed. I believe that those who are in positions of authority should be thinking how they could better stay in step with the community. I don’t think our leaders need to constantly display how tough they are (everyone who see things differently are not the enemy). I know it seems childish, but I believe some people are simply trying to get away with as much as they can, as long as they feel intimidated, or harassed. The Mayor, APD, and Secret Police will continue getting a paycheck for the community work they were hired to do. Also worth mentioning is that the owners and servers of any bar in New Mexico are not getting paid extra for the law enforcement that is required of them to do. They are also threatened with extreme fines if they do not adhere to the policies of the state. The least that Marty and the APD should do for these businesses is thank them for their community service. Businesses are already forced to pay a lot of money in offering a much needed entertainment scene in Albuquerque. As well as being employers to many of its citizens and contributors to the economy, they deserve any necessary police protection at no extra cost.
it's time for ....(drum roll please) "MUCK FARTY TIME" with your hosts........the residents of Albuquerque!!!!!!
Who cares?
Re: "The visibility has come under fire".
I have to ask, by whom is it under fire? Really, the only folks downtown who can see the police response are the bar patrons - who are either predators or prey and the very reason for the police response. Does anyone really believe that random members of the community are out strolling downtown taking in the scenic beauty at 2 AM?
The NEED for vast numbers of police to deal with our citizens when they have had a few drinks downtown shows exactly how futile the downtown arena idea is - which probably has something to do with this new political response.
The bar owner who posted is exactly right, no matter how much security he hires the rowdy drunk becomes a public problem the minute his/her feet hit the city sidewalk or street.
What is really funny is that the city thought that revitalizing an area already chock full of crooks and transients by adding drunk citizenry to act as "prey" for the jackals was a good idea. As for the downtown condos and "infill" residences, who really wants to pay $300 a square foot to live in a place where you can't walk outside or feel confident that your car will still be there in the morning? So, barring some random odd midnight stroller, who the heck is complaning about the police presence? And considering the likely source of the complaint - why would anyone pay heed to them?
it's time for ....(drum roll please) "MUCK FARTY TIME" with your hosts........the residents of Albuquerque!!!!!!
to the bar owner, i respect your comments HOWEVER.. you are getting free security and if the patrons are drinking in your bar, they are still your liability. if you hired chiefs officers who stood at the door and were your bar alone, guaranteed the fighting and crap would go down. years ago the bar called Vipers had the same attitude--- "its our problem in the bar, outside its city"...well the security would throw them out into the parking lot and want us to clean up the mess. what you need to do is hire either chiefs or security officers. other bars aroudn town dont get the benefit of APD without paying for it. to take officers from the field, from thier squad, is selfish and foolish..... BUT A DEFINITE MONEY SAVER!
apdonline.com is promoting APD as the highest paid police department in the state...
Other bars, shit kicker places and the like have to pay Cheif's Overtime like Graham Central, so why not the toilets downtown.
Yeah, we revitalized downtown alright. What a joke, what a cesspool. Nobody goes there except young college age pukes who can't hold their liquor.
A huge problem with APD is some officers following the rules while others are allowed to get away with breaking the rules.
Case in point APD's new PIO. She was just on TV at La Cueva and looked about as unprofessional as I have ever seen. She was in uniform with a pony tail all the way down to her waist. APD guidelines clearly state that female officers hair will not go below the yoke of the uniform shirt.
I know the PIO's mother is a huge Marty money contributor and that is why the mother has a $$$$$ city contract and her daughter has the PIO's position. But couldn't at least one of the commanders or supervisors at the scene quietly tell the PIO to some how wrap her hair up so she was in compliance with APD's SOP and just plain look more professional? Nope nobody said anything because of the political way she got her job and all the commanders at APD are afraid to piss off any of Marty's buddy's.
Even if no commander at the scene had the courage to say anything I would hope that the PIO would have a bit more pride in the uniform she wears and what it means.
Drum roll pleeezzzzeee.........
Puck Faul in 08.
There not at that level yet! Let's wait and see if they get there first! Again, the city has stated something that is not true!
APD maybe the highest in three years, but not right now! another APD lie.
GO BCSO, WE WILL TREAT YOU 100% BETTER AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO WATCH YOUR BACK OR BE WORRIED ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION SELLING YOU DOWN THE RIVER!
Plus, we have the coolest car's in the state. Who wants to drive an APD Pepsi Can anyways!
To the person who responded to me (the bar owner) I have never had one fight in my bar since I took ownership. My security do stand outside to protect my patrons, which happen to be different than every other bar in town...but again if they get involved in something they become personally liable. that is the law. if the law changes by all means I have no issues having them protect my patrons on the street. Part of the issue is the fact that most bar owners pay minimum wage for their security, i have opted to hand pick my security and pay them very well...you reap what you sow.
As a person who works and sleeps in the downtown vicinity, I fear that the officers are losing valuble resources by leaving their equipment so far away... But on the other hand, how many cars do they need? Put 2 or three cars out there for some visibility and availability. when the feces hits the oscillator, the equipment will be valuble. Also, AFD won't bother coming in to help anyone until the cops tell them it is safe to do so... they prefer burning buildings over shootouts. Why make it take any longer than it has to, and if it gets bad enough, AFD will go on lock down anyway.
The congestion in downtown also has a benefit. With so many people partying there, they increase thir risk of getting busted on DUI... Spread out bars are harder to police. There are more choices for people to enjoy, and no driving between locations. Most people want to have a good time, and do. a small percentage of the patrons cause problems. I appreciate the officers who are there to keep the knuckleheads in line before it becomes a large problem.
As for the valley getting the shaft... Why do all the officers have to come from the valley? Why doesn't the downtown detail draw officers from citywide? I don't know the numbers that are available, but if 2 or 3 officers came from each area, wouldn't that be more fair? Seniority or lack there of gets you a trip downtown? Just a thought for those nice politicians who read this and like to get their paws in the thick of things. Fix this, cause you screwed it up royally.
With all due respect ....... I have called APD at a "low crime" time and it took them 2 hours to respond ....... Nothing is free .... the police are very well paid for the protection they claim to give ... it is not a bar owner's duty to do police work
The shootings and violent incidents have always been high in the downtown area. They peaked around five years ago. The valley area command created a specialised unit with both undercover and marked patrol officers who targeted the downtown area on peak nights. Guess what happened? Numbers of incidents decreased. Where is this unit?
Remember all your comments when you vote for Mayor
look at the pio conduct ON DUTY... she talks about sex with her boyfriend, makes out with other officers, etc. its disgusting. pluys she gets to be pio yet maintain her traffic position so she can get all of the overtime she wants.
Go BCSO?? Are you kidding? That Admin wouldn't back anybody if it means their own ass. Case in point, a NARC just got busted ON VIDEO trading drugs for sex with his informant. Informant takes a polygraph. PASSES. NOTHING IS DONE TO THIS NARC. And just RECENTLY have they implemented random drug testing...a bit late in the game don't you think, since one of brass in NARCS has his own personal tag put on him by his own fellow deputies of "Meth". No one on SO's 5th floor will do jack. Don't for one second think SO doesn't have it's dirty dark little secrets EITHER. There's just no one over there smart enough to start a web page/blog like this one.
Snoooooozzzzzzz, Crickets, nothing but crickets. I heard the "Eye" is
MIA because they are trying to deal with that pesky IP Address Subpeona they got last week....The end is near.
Our new PIO is a joke, I think DC Castro also had alot to do with her getting the job, as she is his pet! While in motors, we all had to ride no matter what! Not her, she got all sorts of special treatment. Wonder why????????? We all know!
The only bad outcome for her, is that the weather has made her look old and weathered! Welcome to sun damage! Her face now now looks like an old glove. Also, someone please teach this poor girl to speak proper english!!!!!!!
BCSO, who is BCSO. hahahahahaahahahah. They are a joke.
His pet? As in LAP dog?
No one got a subpeona like the comment above suggests. Just another scare tactic. Besides, a subpeona FOR WHAT ??
Think about it. No laws have been broken here and Google isn't about to give up ANY information on it's customers; NO MATTER WHAT.
who is the PIO..i've been gone for awhile
Can APD's PIO at least represent the uniform correctly and with pride? Can she wear her hair in a way that follows the SOP like the rest of us do? It looks unprofessional hanging all the way down to her gun belt.
Have pride in your uniform or don't wear it!
"Subpeona they got last week....The end is near" Right ... ever heard of NMSA 30-14-10?
Yup, the DC's lap dog, as well as many, many others! She looks like she was baked in the sun! I would have to agree with that! She should know to stay out of the sun, as sun damage wreaks your skin tone!!!!
She looks very old, not to mention she can't speak very well.
The new PIO still gets to ride her NEW motercycle and earn Motor's OT, what a crock of shit! That's the deal that Chief Schultz gave her.....
Is the racist, Chief Ray Schultz still targeting Officer Andrew Gallegos, trying to file bogus charges against him because he is hispanic and was at a gay bar.!!!!!!!! Chief Schultz hates Hispanics, Women and Gays! Ray are you still trying to bring bogus charges against the officer? Everyone has told you there is nothing there, but you keep trying to ruin this officer's life and career. When will you stop going after him? If you keep going after him, the ACLU is going to target you. Now, you don't need that to add to all the other dumb things you do! There are no charges, leave the Officer Gallegos alone! What don't you get, do your investigating peope need to write it in crayon for you!!! No Charges you bigot!
Drum Roll Pleezzzz........
Subpeonas are hot off the press. They know who we are.....
I have to say as a citizen seeing Nadine as the PIO on TV is depressing. She looks bad, her hair is way too long and greasy, she needs microdermabrasion (at the very least) on her face and in general she is not an appropriate representative for APD. Why doesn't APD use a make-up consultant or advertising rep. to get someone with a more professional appearance and who at least has a basic command of the English language?
She needs to "clean up" a tad in order to have any credibility.....
Oh yea, the PIO who came from Aviation, who tried over and over to get on APD but couldn't pass her gun qual. Then suddenly, knowing the right (5th floor) people, she's in. Sucks in the field so let's send her to motors where she can have her way there. And the PIO position: We go from Cindy Brady (Trish "Malibu Marilyn Monroe" Hoffman, Ahrensfield, Booth) to Weathered, "Can't talk worth a crap" Nadine, "x-tra marital affair for cops" barbie. And we pay John "Mr. $10.00 word user" Walsh $80k for ??????? And we are short in the field for officers so we use a sworn officer as a PIO???????????? How bout Marty be the PIO
The new PIO was banned from ever applying to APD and now she's here! How did that happen?
Thats crazy right? That would be like shooting your dogs at your house with your Department weapon and then having your bosses cover it up....Imagine that
That would be like covering up an off duty shooting and being banned from every unit you worked in!
I know, right? Thought Walsh made closer to95K.
Bring Back Trish!!! Please Chief!! God help us all!!!
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