When were we ranting about this? Was it uhhh.... YESTERDAY! Yes it was, and today APS faced a situation where a former student showed up drunk and supposedly armed at La Cueva High School (ABQ Tribune). APS police were called in and authorized by Superintendent Beth Everitt to take their weapons into the school while students and teachers were locked down.
Right now thanks to the geniuses on the school board, the APS policy states that even the Chief of APS police doesn't have the authority to authorize officers to remove their weapons from their trunks. It's STOOOPID to have unarmed officers in the first place but to make things even STUPIDER, the person who makes the decision to arm officers is an administrator. Leaves us wondering who the heck is running this circus?
APS dodged a bullet today and so did the students, parents, and administrators that were present at La Cueva, the perpetrator was unarmed... this time. Just for your information, the school board members who voted against protecting our kids are Paula Maes, Dolores Griego, Berna Facio, and Robert Lucero. You might want to remember their names if it's one of your kids that ends up dead.
42 comments:
These people have no clue how law enforcement works!!!!
And that is exactly what the CGCS report told them: APS has no business running a police department. The recommendation from that group was for APS to have a contract with APD for law enforcement and to have something akin to resource officers on campuses. The RO sets the rapport with kids and attempts to prevent problems but if there is one, they call APD. Response time was a concern... for obvious reasons.
Did that happen? No. Because Schultz can't recruit enough officers for his own force much less a contracted force for APS.
Jesus. This city is so bassackwards. I really feel for all of those dedicated men and women in uniform who are out there, every day, putting their lives on the line knowing they may or may not have back up.
This includes the so-called APSPD.
Everyone needs to get it together and demand things change.
Let's do-at the next board meeting.
9/5/07 5pm
The only right way to do it is to use regular Alb Police Officers. Rotate them off the street periodically so they are current both on/off campus. The problem regardless, is to come up with the money to increase the force. The APS security guards can always join the regular Police force if they can pass the background investigations, and all tests. :)
Administrators, politicians, public safety officials, principals, Mayor, Cheif, City Councilors, get off your GD over paid asses and do something besides playing with yourselves and looking good for Photo Ops.
Wake up, look around the city. Fix the problems. And for you City Councilors, look around your districts. Can you not see what needs attention? Weeds, litter, grafitti, dirt and litter filled medians. Do something. Start fixing the problems.
As for APS; does the Federal Government or the National Guard have to step in to protect our children form those who probably need to be delt with with a heavy hand?
Again, this town IS back-assward. Our public officials are paid handsomely to do ... what???
two posters up- technically the APS police are not security guards as they are all LE academy grads, the majority retired from bigger local depts. they all are state certified as law enforcement officers. There is literally nothing holding them back from this one final step legally, morally or educationally. Here is a link to proved email feeedback to APS if you want to be heard:
http://ww2.aps.edu/
"The only right way to do it is to use regular Alb Police Officers. Rotate them off the street periodically so they are current both on/off campus. The problem regardless, is to come up with the money to increase the force. The APS security guards can always join the regular Police force if they can pass the background investigations, and all tests. :)"
A comment without a clue. Before giving an opinion educate yourself to the fact so you don't look like a jack ass.
These guys are already state certified havig retired from APD.
Just curious: what the hell was the argument in FAVOR of interfering with police in this manner? There must have been _some_ attempt to justify it, but I can't think of what it would have been.
Someone play devil's advocate here: what's a good reason why police shouldn't be armed when they're at schools?
Did anyone forget that APD is already over 300 officers below what the FBI recommendations for our city are? Where would you suggest that these officers be drawn from???
the shortage of officers flows from a shortage of salary; supply and demand. Raise salaries and they will come.
Quarter cent sales tax for police and after school, and out of school programs for students
As a current 34 I will tell you that money is not the only issue. This mayor has caused so much damage to APD that it will take ten years or more to fix his political mess. We need an outside chief and everyone from captain and above needs to leave so that this fine department can have a clean start. We have some of the best 34s in the nation being lead the worse chief and mayor (Dcs included.)
There is nothing wrong with APD, the staff or commanders. The problems is with a few jerks like you. If it is that bad - leave. But we all know that you will not. So stop your complaining and get to work.
APD should take over APS, they would take in APS manpower and could use those APS officers to continue manning the schools. This was just like when APD took over Open Space. You leave the APS cops where they are , you just put them under the biggest law enforcement agency in the county. Makes sense so why won't this happen?
I believe Marty is allowing this issue to fester to make a point. He has argued with APS for many years and now they just might fall apart under the strain. Further, Marty hates Brad and he figures any bad APS press hurts Winter. What he doesn't get is Winter has been calling for the arming of APS police for years. Further it actually weakens Marty, when he does nothing after years of fighting for control of APS.
Marty needs to put politics behind him and take this mess over. APD might be short handed, but they are still the right folks to run it.
Last comment, APS would need to give APD the entire budget and equipment that APS police now have. That means APD would need to have millions in budget dollars from APS, to provide law enforcement protection. I would think this is easy, but money is the root of all evil.
Three posts up. Nicely said Mike C.
Thanks, I couldn't have said it any better myself.
"There is nothing wrong with APD, the staff or commanders."
Then why is this department stuck in the current manpower position its in? Despite lowering hiring standards, creating a less-stress academy, offering signing bonuses, paying for uniforms, and drawing on rehires to fill the ranks, fewer applicants are choosing to come to APD and the attrition rate has increased? This department has to compete with BCSO, RRDPS, SFPD, and probably VCSO and SCSO yet as the premier law enforcement organization in the state its staffing levels are going backwards. This suggests that there is something wrong with APD and as a citizen of this city I'd like to see solutions.
You got a 1/4 cent tax about four years ago and your budget went up almost 20% yet your manpower remains virtually the same. I think its time for an audit. I see monies being spent on "open space" officers. Excuse me but city park rangers are not critical elements and should be reduced to a bare minimum. Dive team and search and rescue. Unless those are DHS requirements disband them they are not critical either.
I think there is a lot of great things about your department but you are incorrect in saying there is nothing wrong.
low morale is an important indicator of problems in management. period.
If the morale sucks; it is because management sucks worse.
The biggest problem with APD is management. It has become so bad that APD will experience a major mass exit in the form of retirements again this year.
The administration will say it was just their time to go and put a spin on it. However, that is untrue. Most are leaving becaause of poor morale and leardership.
I never thought it could get any worse than when Chief Gallegos was here, but it has!!!
The administration will say that the officers saying these things are just whiners, but I am out here and it's about 90% of the troops who feel this way. Why do you think the officers are leaving as soon as they can possibly retire. That is a major clue.
Now, the admin can't say everyone who retires is just disgruntled, but they will try to spin it rather than addressing the problem.
APD admin needs to pull their head out of the sand. There is a serious morale problem, please address it!
It's to bad that a staffer from the 5th floor will respond to this by saying, quit or shut up and go back to work or you have it made.
They will use some weak response like that rather than really listen to what is going on out here.
I work hard and take all my calls and am a top producer. I am not disgrunted and do not hate admin.
I would just like to see them support us for once. Not just say it, mean it.
Remember, action are louder than words. I have seen no action! I do however see how they attack if someone does not agree with their point of view.
How does UNM's police force work? Do they accept federal grants that APS can possibly look into? Maybe it is possible to use UNM as a model that could make their police force work well in the schools. Just a thought.
Last post,,, that's a great idea that would work fine as UNM is a well running PD.
A few posters up...Yes there was 1/4 cent sales tax increase...for equipment...and the budget is up 20%, but just like a coporation, the soldier ants don't see any of that. The 20% is being eaten up in admin costs and special projects...COAST...Victims Center (when we already have offices and facilities...really need another building) and upgrading the infrastructure. Recruiting and retention are suffering severely because we cannot compete in the marketplace. We are a municipality, but we need to be run like the private sector. Other departments are matching our benifits package and recruiting packages, but offering higher salaries. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that $3-$5 more per hour, with all the same perks, and less work....is a pretty sweet deal. We used to be able to recruit on notoriety alone, however there is a new generation of potential applicants out there....anyone in the private sector can vouch for it...that are looking out for #1 and looking to who is paying the best. Just like the public school system...if your salary package is at the bottom...you are going to get what you pay for. When you see the numbers about the budget for the department...question if the officer salary has increased....keep in mind that the department is alloted enough money to pay for 1100 officers...even though we are lucky to squeak by with 850 (Where is that money??? Ask the Chief). And look at all of the special projects that you see on the news...keep in mind, those all come out of the department budget and not the City General fund. Remember that none of the Red Light/ Speeding Camera money goes into the department coffer....looking at $6 million + each year (self-sustaining???)...it goes into the Mayor's budget...where is that money being spent? As far as UNM and AIRPORT police...they are discouraged from actively pursuing crime because anytime they do something....it reflects poorly on their crime ratings. Each year all of the colleges and airports are ranked, with one of the ranking categories being crime...the less they do...the better they look. Airport officers are not even allowed to take alarm calls at the Fedex/UPS loading facilities on their property or respond to any crime outside of the parking structure and Sunport building. One of our officers who left for a Colorado Department that covers a population of 110,000 people just got a raise to $71,000 per year...with all of the same benefits that we have. That department had over 300 applicants for 8 positions....ask recruiting when the last time they had 300 applicants to sort through for any single class. Ask recruiting when the last graduating class over 30 officers was? We are retiring 50+ people this year and are turning out 4-5 classes this year...each with 8-17 people? Simple math? Again the citizens of this city are caught up in the department/mayor's numbers game. If I am a citizen...just like a customer at a store...If I am paying for something...I want to know where my money went. Money in...nothing back? We had a surplus on the budget this year...in lieu of an Extreme Sports Park, Sister City live Video Extravaganza, Trolley Car, Reflecting pool....how about we get the infrastructure fixed. All of the pretty things are nice...but when you can't enjoy them because of the all transient and crackheads are hanging out waiting for the illegal immigrant, working for the Mexican drug Cartel, driving your stolen F-250 truck to roll by and sell them some crack while on his way back to the border to sell your truck for $400....that is when the citizen will begin to figure it out. Don't believe the hype...the mayor/chief's spinster will blind and confuse you!
wrong..wrong..wrong. Salaries are set by the city council sponsored wage and guidlines committee. 3 city councilors sit on that board and THEY set the pot of money to be divied up between ALL city collective baragining units. It is then up to the bargaining units to negotiate the pay package(s). They did that this most recent process for the APOA. The police budget (salary portion) when up $6.5 million dollars this fiscal year. Folks that is $6500000.00 Most of that was for PERA contribution adjustments whereas the employee portion was reduced from over 16% to 4%. Take home pay has increased by over $250 per pay period. This is not chump change. The union could have negotiated for more money but they and YOU (through ratification) chose this option. This was actually a good choice because by paying less into PERA out of your checks (this was all pre-tax) not only will you take more home but your PERA final retirement will be more.
also insurance costs rose 12% this year, the city is paying all of that. The budget did increase significantly, but the officers received most of that. The other projects such as COAST were funded out of Family and Community and money was moved from their budget to APD, the FAC is primarily funded by United Way and private donations. Only $500,000 is coming from the city/APD budget. With State appropriations and WAVA grants the city will more than recooperate what it spends. Plus efficiency will improve. More presecution, less DV and more time for officers to do other things? Just like the PTU, efficiencies improve service, but then again many of the nay-sayers are against improving anything. As for cadet classes, each class has hundreds apply just like your Colorado department, most however are not qualified or fail to meet the mininal standards. This problem is not unique to Albuquerque, NM or even the Southwest. It is a National trend and it is not just about the money. The City can not hire IT people, Engineers or attorneys, the work force just is not there. So please dont spread bad information.
Yea and don't forget the 17, ooops make that 15 as two are now in the criminal justice system on the other end cadets that are in the current class. What a joke!! The last lateral class, three had criminal, yes CRIMINAL backgrounds, yet still hired.
Don't go on the soapbox that they don't meet standards. The admin just lowered the standards...again!
This Chief has no business being Chief. The Chief of Police is supposed to be a leader, not a puppet on a string. Some people will say well that's the mayor's fault. All it takes is him saying this is MY department and I will run it as I see fit. He is already retired what does he have to lose. Hell he might even gain some respect, something he lacks.
APD can't even get an area command on a different channel. Dispatchers are still in the same prediciment they were in 2 years ago. Deputy Chief Silva (ret) tried to make a difference and address the problems. They transfer him. Deputy Chief (was Capt) Castro tried the same and they moved him after the civilian boss had the allegations brought against him.
Some moral booster, when you have a leader trying to make a difference, address problems, and create a solution they transfer them.
APD is a great department, it's their administration that has no ethics.
Management owns morale.
Have they ever measured morale by survey or any other scientific instrument.
If they haven't; it is because they don't give a crap about morale; which is why morale is in the crapper.
three posters up. Ray went to every briefing and shoved this down the 34s throats. He and the DCs sold this contract. I sat in the briefing and afterwards was sick at their conduct. I am not a whiner I just see the reality of this Chief and his DCs. Respond to that Mike.
They sure did. Lawerence Torres shoved it down APD he knew the troops had not had a raise in years so he, the mayor and the APD admin knew they would jump at it.
Look what reward Lawerence Torres got for his trouble. Lawerence received a job paying $90,000. a yaer for suckering APD to take the bait. They mayor sure paid him back for a job well done. Lawerence earned his job with APD blood.
He even got the mayor and Bakas to bring open space over to APD although most of them could not get into APD.
Lawerenc and chief schultz are also planning to make former open space DC Ruben Griego an APD captain although he never went through an APD Academy or took APD promotional exams for Sgt and LT. This has pissed alot of people off.
APD LT Ruben Griego even has a DV report agaist him where he held his family hostage with a shotgun. The westhill officers responded, See report. The shotgun was even pointed at officers, but he is Councilor Vince Griego's son so now make him an APD Capt. He's DC Castro's and Callaway's boy and they take care of him. Politics are alive and well. He is also Lawerence Torres' best friend so they will try not to make it so apparent when they promote him.
The only standards that were lowered was the one that allowed you to come back to APD. The state was too chicken to fire you and sent you back.
Does anyone have a good recipe for Old Fashion Oatmeal cookies? Please post...
ahhahaa or hows about a recipe for corn bread -- come on ya'll
last two comments; is this supposed to be funny?
if you have no interest in the topic; why do you read through 30 other comments just to say something stupid?
So, does that mean that no one has a good recipe for oatmeal cookies?
One post up: Your right I believe the topic was APS and the lockdown that was at La Cueva-any thoughts on that issue?
I believe we must all come together and speak out at the APS board meeting on behalf of arming the APS officers. It is scary to think that our children are practicing lockdowns in their classrooms because of the world we live in today. I believe the meeting is Sept 5th at 5- hope there will be a good turnout.
I need a recipe for really good oatmeal cookies...Can anyone post one?
HOMESCHOOL.
p.s.
You ain't gettin' the cookie recipe! No way!
APS meeting, Sept 5th: Where is it scheduled to be held?
Please let everyone know.
School board meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays at 5 pm.
6400 Uptown Blvd, north side of Indian School, west of Louisiana.
Get there early if you want to sign up to speak at the public forum.
"wrong wrong wrong" above...finally some salient details are put forward. I'll thank you for that but your comment about the city eating the 12% hike in insurance costs betrays who's camp your in. So what if they did? Everybody is being hit with increasing prices on everything. And while another poster is inaccurate in re-framing department issues along the lines of looking at its operations as if it were a private company he does make a right on point: it is grossly inefficient. Check the numbers and compare it to other departments that are accredited and have limited recruiting issues and you'll see what I mean.
Ok, I'm gettin pissed. Where's that damn recipe?
"Someone play devil's advocate here: what's a good reason why police shouldn't be armed when they're at schools?"
Besides making sure the dough is good and soft, my secret is MILK instead of WATER, get the Plump raisins, not those itty bitty ones, and REAL OATMEAL, not instant!
oh, I mean - Police should not be armed at schools because thinning out the population means there will be more money to provide Illegal Aliens with necessary services. Police should not be armed at schools since many kids there have been in and out of juvie, and we have all seen that all prisoners do with their spare time is get buff, and practice how to take away your gun and shoot you with it. Police should not be armed since teachers are not armed, and THEY are not afraid to go to work with no gun! Police should not be armed since they are all controlled by a meglomaniac mayor and burghermiester "DC"s (is that right?) who tell you to shoot the people who are making the mayor look bad...
No wait, SERIOUSLY - a counterpoint. Cops should not be armed at school until a policy exists that allows them to, so they don't get fired. Sorry, thats the only real one I can come up with.
J. Lopez
Get to the important stuff man, what temp do I set the oven and for how long do I bake them?
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