Yesterday's mayoral news conference announcing the shuttering of Marty's scam-eras and the parking of the scam-vans was an obvious and ham-fisted attempt by the ex-senatorial candidate to put pressure on Big Bill; that we know. But the news conference also featured a few statements that bear further examination.
The first and most obvious statement is the assertion that "violators pa[y] for everything (KOB.com)." Damn straight, and they paid for $6 MILLION in "excess revenue" to boot; profit that the mayor has already admitted to using to balance the city budget. We've got news for the mayor, law enforcement should never be about turning a profit; when it is the innocent are convicted, due process is non-existent, and those running the scam are the only ones who truly profit.
Along with gambling and prostitution, organized crime ran a similar scheme where individuals and businesses paid crime bosses for "protection." Arguably the system worked for the most part as your everyday thugs and thieves were kept at bay by the more brutal organized crime boss. It was called protection money and it's an example of what "law enforcement" will become if allowed to let money determine what laws are or are not enforced.
What's apparent in the mayor's news conference is that our "safety" is obviously not worth the $1.3 to $1.4 MILLION that Chavez claims the program costs. We don't know the amount that the state would be supplying to the city to continue to run the scam, but Senator William Pane successfully amended the original bill that would have taken all of the scam-era booty to include a provision to pay for the program (ABQ Journal - Subscription). Wouldn't that allotment at least pay for part of Marty's claimed operation costs?
The funnier part of Marty's act was when he used a two pronged scare tactic, "if you're involved in a fender-bender something of that nature, expect it to take a little longer to respond particularly during school hours, because officers have been re-deployed to school zones." When is the last time you saw one of these scam-vans in a school zone?
We got word of one speeding up Comanche the other day (read it here). We also know about the 1306 citations issued erroneously in 3 hours on I-25 (read it here). What we don't see is the valiant vans out protecting the children as the Almighty Alcalde would have you believe.
What's more important is that our Eyes claim that the Chief isn't planning to re-deploy anyone to school zones despite the mayoral assertions to the contrary. So, nothing has changed except that we don't have to worry about having to defend ourselves from a system that is designed to deprive us of a defense.
In the final analysis, we don't care why the scam has come to a halt; we just want it to stay that way. Yesterday's news conference was about fear through sophistry and attempting to put pressure on Big Bill.
We bet Marty's regretting his foolish misstep last month when he jumped the gun and stole Governor Richardson's thunder by announcing Fidelity Investments' decision to move to Mesa Del Sol (read it here). From the look on Bill's face when he was asked about signing the legislation, we're pretty sure he remembers the mayor's misstep.
24 comments:
Big Bill and the legislators will kick this little puerco, cerdo to the curb.
ITS ALL ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY!!!!
I did see the Scam van in a school zone yesterday! It was at 7:00 PM in the parking lot at Manzano High School. Not 0700, 1900 Huh? I didn't know Manzano has evening classes, duh......
Thank god someone is kicking that little tyrant, Marty in in ass. Go Big Bill and legislators!
See how he likes things shoved down his throat for a change.
Miget marty thought he was the king of the hill; it is going to be true enjoyment to watch our Governor knock this little turn on his face.
A true THANKS to our leaders in Santa-Fe and to the Great Governor Bill Richardson for finishing off the wrongful unjust that this little Napoleon has force upon us.
Two points to make.
First, if the media would do some research they would find that this is not the first time Ray Schultz has cost the city money when it comes to the red light cameras and speed vans. Back when he was a DCOP he tried the same thing, didn't research it correctly and wasted tens of thousands of our dollars when he was finally ordered to stop.
Second, the mayor and Ray have reached new lows, trying to scare the public. At the press conference they were saying it will take you longer to get an officer because they will be in school zone. Such Bull Shit! Why doesn't Ray and Marty hold a press conference and really scare the citizens with the number of officers we have patrolling? Or the number of full time sworn officers currently on the department? Haven't seen that press conference yet, oh yeah they can't blame that one on the governor. They would have to blame themselves.
Okay, now I know the Mayor always tries to put his spin on everything but come on!!!!! Does he really think that the public is stoooooopid?? He says he will now have to re-deploy officers in the school zones to make up for the lost speed vans. This in turn will take longer response times for police calls for service.
Well if my math is correct there were three (3) speed vans. So that will take a whopping three (3) traffic officers to replace those vans,,WOW, whhhhhooopppy do!!! OH WAIT!!!! We don't have enough officers to patrol our streets as it is, maybe those three officers will make a big deal!!!!!
Wake up Mayor , pull on this two ears,,in fact tug hard to get your head out.......PAY the officers a decent wage so the Chief might actually be able to recruit non-criminals to the department.
There is one solution to the little problem that Marty stated will result from the State jumping the scam-era funds and diverting them to pay the court bonds. The cost of the hearings is really a no brainer: cite the citizens under state statute for speeding and red light violations and have the court system pick up the cost of the hearings. Oh, wait, I forgot. The scam-era system violates soooo many of the citizens rights that it cannot meet the standard for conviction in a "REAL" courtroom. Sorry Marty, I thought I had a good idea there for a second. better luck next time. :)
Enjoy the week end. Monday will be another round at the 'Cornhole' fest on the 11th floor.
Is there any reason why the city can't hire "traffic" cops, who's job is nothing but enforcing traffic laws? thereby free up fully trained and certified officers to do more important work and investigations.
This is an honest question, and forgive me if it is ignorant. Spare me the abuse, and just answer the question.
Traffic cops by statute have to be fully trained and certified officers. They are not their own special category.
No abuse, that is a good question.
APD has "traffic" cops but they're not a specialized unit....no abuse from me! Most non-APD personnel are not aware (rightfully so) of how APD functions (oops, I mean DISfunctions)!
It was interesting that Ray Ray threaten to arrest people for running red lights. uh, let's see here; oh, that's right an officer CAN NOT book anybody for a simple traffic violation like a red light violation. At the jail a red light violation is an "NBR." NO BOND REQUIRED.
Shame on you Ray Ray for making an threat that you can not back up; oh, that's right, your one of marty's little bitches.
You and marty are both loosers. Now run and cry to your worthless DC's.
Lets get real folks, nobody likes the red light cams, even though it has really slowed me down. The reality is that Big Bill is a bully too. Why doesnt he mind his own business and run the state. Oh, because the STATE railrunner has them in the red as they are in deep doo doo with their finances. Leave ABQ alone.
There IS organized crime, even with the SCAMeras out of business. It's happening in our courts, right from the bench. You can buy a win at just about any level and type of court in New Mexico as long as you know who to pay. I know that you in APD are sick and tired of showing up to testify in hearings when you know the judge is going to ignore it!
So, we are praising Bill Richardson, the "coyote" from the North now, are we? Please, I don't want to barf all over my keyboard. If it appears that he did something good for citizens of Albuquerque, it was purely by accident because of wanting to win his little squabble with Marty!
This topic is sooooo boring already! This blog used to be interesting, but it really isn't anymore. Judging by the low number of comments, I'm not the only one who thinks so.
I would like to see the lawsuit that will be filed once the first citizen is taken to jail for running a red light! Laws apply equally to both citizens and those in power - in fact a class action suit can be filed for a "class of one." Why aren't the City attorneys doing their job in advising the chief and Mayor not to make statements that even the informed public knows is BS!!!! The more they make such statements the less respect those of us who you represent and are sworn to protect have for you!!!
If Big Scrufy Face Bill wants part of the scamera profits, then let the state pay a % for them. Then Bill can take a % of profits that the state pays for. Business 101, duh.
So funny how several weeks ago Bill wanted to tap into the money, now he's saying he's not sure the camera's are legal. Make up your mind!!
Bill & Marty need to take their pissing match out of the media and maybe have a naked mud wrestling contest.
Charge a take at the door. I'm sure a lot of people would show up just to prove what little dicks they have. Bullies like them usually are lacking in that area.
We are so back asswards. New Mexico and Albuquerque are an embarrassment to all. People around the nation compare us to a punch of toothless assholes from the Ozarks. Look at our politics, the politicians and all the asshole shit they keep getting caught doing. The feds won't step in, because they have no jurisdiction in this third world pisspot. Washigton has not yet caught up with the fact that we are part of the union. The Governor looks like 'Poncho Villa' and Marty looks like Benito Musellini.
Can we get indoor plumbing please and flush these shits.
Let's see . . . "Laws apply equally to both citizens and those in power". Really? Here? Have you actually TRIED to sue someone in these crooked courts? Give me a break - you must be referring to some other state, not NM.
On to "Big Scruffy Face Bill". That's funny!! Gross - I'm quite sure that I'm not the slightest bit interested in either Marty or Bill naked..
Finally, "The feds won't step in, because they have no jurisdiction" BS! The feds won't step in because the US Attorney's office here is corrupt as hell and has been for a LONG time now. They can step in any time corruption involves a publicly-elected official. Ever heard of the Hobbes Act? But the rest of your comment is A#1 right on, and hilarious, too.
To: "soooo boring"
Just wondering why you keep reading this blog and post if you're soooo bored with it.
We can all see Marty's intentions here. Ok when Pete decided to give up his seat and Marty wanted to run he all of a sudden wanted to scrap the red light cameras...does he really think that he can woo his way into our hearts? Then we knew he would have to run against Tom Udall he backed out with his tail between his legs and then the cameras were back on. This man cant make up his mind can someone say Bi-polar? Its on, its off, its on again, with every little fit we dont know that hes going to do. He needs a mental evaluation.
I just wonder what the contract with Redflex is? Can the public see the contract? Should be able too it's public information.
All of a sudden the scamera's are back on. Wonder if it has something to do with the commision they make off them??
Albuquerque citizens are the taxpayers and we have the right to request to see this contract! There's got to be something about the off-again on-again BS.
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