The Piercing Truth

This is right from the dictionary and seems to describe Albuquerque, Berry and Schultz. Fascism (f ash ,izem) noun An authoritarian right wing system of government and/or social organization. (in general use) extreme right wing, authoritarian, chauvinistic and/or intolerant views or practices. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one group over another, national, ethnic, especially social strata or monetarily; a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach. Compliments of one of our Eyes

Feb 1, 2009

A Lot Less Safe

Public safety - an altar before which every politician kneels during their campaigns, but like many church-goers, they're more interested appearing to embrace the faith than actually doing so. The result is passionate support during an election and tepid support when governing. That's at least one why reason cities like Albuquerque have continuously escalating crime rates.

In last week's Eye Poll we asked the question "Is the City of Albuquerque safer than it was four years ago." You'll remember the Almighty Alcalde kneeling at the altar of 1,100 officers - a number that still hasn't been achieved. In fact, APD hasn't seen significant gains in personnel in the four years since Marty's campaign promise.

Eye readers have weighed in with 64% believing that they are not as safe as they were four years ago and 47% believe that the are "a lot less safe" (view it here). Only 12% believed they were a lot safer, 3% somewhat safer, and 21% said they were about as safe.

The responsibility for public safety rests squarely with the mayor. He has the authority to hire and fire the Chief of Police therefore - he is responsible for the chief's performance or lack thereof.

This week we're taking yet another look at the scam-era program. Scam-era shill D'Val Westphal told us on Saturday that the scam has resulted in a whopping 39% reduction in accidents in four intersections (ABQ Journal -Subscription).

There are so many problems with this "study" and Westphal's story that environmentalists should be suing the Journal for wasting paper and endangering the public with toxic ink. First and foremost the "study" only looked at four hand-picked intersections, yet Westphal would have you extend the results to the whole scam.

Second and most damning, the study only looked at accidents within the intersection box, thereby excluding any increases in rear-end accidents caused by the scam-eras. Lest you forget, this is the exact scheme Chief Schultz implemented after statistics indicated that accidents had actually increased at photo enforced intersections.
Our Eyes tell us that Chief Schultz has the 5th floor working on changing the criteria used for counting accidents at intersections. Under this new scheme, only accidents that take place inside the box formed by the crosswalks would be considered accidents at that intersection. The rest would be reported as occurring on the street leading to the intersection.
Since APD's numbers are meaningless and Westphal's story is simply a blatant attempt to paint a positive face on an established pig, your opinion is just as valid as their statistics. Let us know what you think in this week's Eye Poll.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

They put out the numbers that the naive citizens believe. First of all, in reference to the accidents, they are comparing different statistics. I am with the traffic unit. They are not including any traffic accidents just prior, or just after the intersections. The red light cameras have not decreased anything.

With regards to the number of officers. Yet again, the numbers are so screwed up. Field officers are so overloaded. Yet, the chief allows bike units, homeless units, downtown units. Give me a break!

Why does the chief allow newly promoted sergeants to go inside. Does anyone have to pay their dues?

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed that the term alcohol "related" is not included while submitting the "redflex ticket intersections" accident stats. It might increase the already inflated figures that the MADD organization supplies to the propoganda Nazis. After all ... it's all about safety!

Anonymous said...

It is nice to see our media has ignored giving the citizens the correct number of sworn, full timed APD officers. It is now February, how long do we have to wait? God knows Schultz and Chavez won't tell us.

Anonymous said...

I too work in a city public service position. If we have so many more officers now, why when we have incidents of fighting, stealing, etc. by the public & we call for an officer, it's 90 mins. before one shows up if at all without making a 2nd call?

Anonymous said...

You want to know what is a lot less safe? Letting the scumbag Levi Chavez go back to work. Thats the rumor round the dept.

Anonymous said...

Does Ray Boy Lie??? NO WAY, Haaaaa

Anonymous said...

LIARS, THIEVES, RAPERS, PERVERTS,WIFE BEATERS, GRAFT, KICKBACKS, HEATHENS, LETCHERS,SCUMBAGS,COWARDS, PUSSIES.
Did I leave anyone out? These are our civic leaders.
Guess what?
T-I-M-E F-O-R C-H-A-N-G-E

T-H-I-S Y-E-A-R

Anonymous said...

Does it all really matter? We can bitch moan and groan but things will never change. New Mayor just means a new Cheif, that means the one who is willing to do the dirty work and cover up anything to protect the Mayor. More suck up's to ride the great big wave until it hits land or a brick wall.
It's not just Richardson's pay to play, it is the norm in any aspect of politics. Some pay with money, others pay with their souls. Either way, it's never the most qualified person for the job, it comes down to who had the best knee pads. If you think about it, I have said it before, WE MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD BY THE WORK WE DO (STARTING IN THE TRENCHES) WE CAN JUST AS EASILY MAKE THEM LOOK BAD. So remember the next time you step on someone to further your career, Karma really sucks and you will be normal someday just like 98% of the population. So Lie now, Lie later, it will always come back to haunt you.

Anonymous said...

The return to work is a perfect example of pay to play. Marty only brings back his buddies who help him politically.

Anonymous said...

The problem with the scamera stats is it doesn't include non camera intersections.

The public doesn't know where all the camera's are and slam on their brakes at every intersection. This has caused a mass amount of fender benders.

You might say so what! But these small wreaks cause a lot of damage to vehicles causing large payouts by insurance companies, causing everyones insurance rates to go up.

So, instead of looking at 4 intersections lets look outside the box, which is very hard for this administration, and look at the big picture.

The Journal needs to ask more than Schultz for stats. Do some digging and at least contact insurance companies, body shops and the likes.

Anonymous said...

I dont believe it matters who is Mayor or Cheif, its the Sgt's and Lt's that make up the backbone of any dept. There are good cops that do their job every day and others who should pick another career. I would rather have 20 good cops than 100 slugs on the jobs. There needs to be a process to rate performance.
And for the cameras, there here and should stay here.

Anonymous said...

I am in favor of keeping the 20% of good cops and telling the other 80% to find other work. They have already made Albuquerque a laughing stock in the nation. I just got home (12:15 AM) and counted over a half dozen people pulled over by APD on Central. The streets were almost empty. I wonder who's safety they were interested in?

Anonymous said...

sgts and lieutenants? hahaha sgts maybe but lieutenants are a waste of a position. they are merely middle men or women. get rid of all those DC's too whats their purpose? especially sleeping joe!

Anonymous said...

Schultz is a liar and dirt bag who says do as I say, not as I do....

Anonymous said...

Lieutenants?? hahaha what a joke.....

Anonymous said...

Saw DC Castro with one of the individuals running for Mayor. I wonder what the DC is up to???????

Anonymous said...

At least when Bowdich was in charge of FSB he was seen at the substations without being there for a ceremony or meeting. You may be unhappy he's a DC, but at least he doesn't treat officers like serfs.

Anonymous said...

The safety of the city falls on the Chief of APD's shoulders. The person is selected by the Mayor. However, in this case the mayor chose a lemon and has done nothing to fix the problem. The guy has APD's morale in the toilet and it has been said he is the worst chief they have ever had! He has no feelings for his officers and could careless about them.

The best answer is to elect a new Mayor. Martin Chavez has not indicated he is running yet to avoid rehashing all the stupid mistakes he has made over the years. In addition, he does not really think he can win, he's gun shy after his failed attempt for US Senate. He will just wait to see how things are going before he throws his hat in the ring.

Martin will lose for mayor and he knows this......... He is finished in politics.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Deputy Chief Castro, have you noticed how he is no longer posting his blogs here after his relationship with Officer Debra Aragon had been exposed, not to mention his bid to seek the top job at APD. The boy is trying to run under the radar.

Anonymous said...

Michael Castro is way too old to be chief. He looks to be in his early 60's with that white hair. He's an old dude. We need a young chief full of energy who will take care of us. Please, no more old guys, they all suck!

Anonymous said...

Castro for chief!

Anonymous said...

Ditto on the above statement!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The DC would sell his wife to get ahead if he could!

Anonymous said...

This city will not be safe until we replace/fire Chief Schultz. All he cares about is himself. His Deputy Chief are the same as he is.

Anonymous said...

Come on, our PIO is not that bad for a 50ish year old. So what she can't speak. That's just the way the 5th floor likes her. The dumber the better.

Anonymous said...

her and baraza need to get a room,,those duke city videos are ridiculous with their flirting back and forth.

Anonymous said...

I miss our old PIO, Sgt Hoffman. She was very pleasing to the eye and classy. The one we have now is kinda of trashy and way to old. Not to mention she speaks with a Westgate accent. Were did she learn he pronunciation of words? Bring back Sgt Hoffman, PLEASE! At least she was not an embarrassment to our dept.

Anonymous said...

Who do those two think they are fooling, we all know what's going on. I can't believe the ivory tower lets her pull all that stuff. She gets unlimitted over time in the Traffic Unit still, as well as riding around in the camero. What kinda shit is that. OT in both jobs. They should do an investigation on that, but the IA Lt is so far up the chief's rear end that it will never happen. He want to be a commander so bad, he will also do anything the chief asks. Even cover up for the chief, like he has done already. You know who will get the next promotion.
They want everyone to cut back on OT and comp, but they let officer Hamby accumulate as much as she wants. Chief, that sends a real bad message to the rest of us. You should never have been a chief, you don't have any integrity and you know it. No one on this dept trusts or respects you for what you let happen. It's all about money and taking care of your friends for you. What happened to the oath of office you took, so much for that.

Anonymous said...

I do wonder why they let such an ignorant officer be PIO,she must have other skills that management needs? There is just no way someone so stupid could be in that type of position without having skills.

Anonymous said...

Oh, she has skills, but you need to have alot of brass on your collar..... With that, you get more tricks than a monkey on a 20" pole.

Anonymous said...

id love to see that!

Anonymous said...

Alot of guys have!

Anonymous said...

Way, way too OLD for my taste. Also, way too used up!