The City of Albuquerque is left holding the bag again, thanks to the irresponsible actions of the City’s Nuisance Abatement Team. The team has several APD officers assigned to it as well as a few inspectors. The team was being overseen by Pete Dinelli who is an attorney and former City Councilor. According to the Journal report (see here), “A federal judge's ruling that the city has engaged in overzealous enforcement of its nuisance abatement ordinance — resulting in the eviction of some residents without a hearing beforehand.”
The City’s Nuisance Abatement Ordinance was one of the items that former Mayor Marty Chavez prided himself with.
According to the Journal, “U.S. District Judge James O. Browning found the city had failed to show sufficient evidence about whether the code violations in the challenged cases demonstrated an immediate danger to the lives and safety of the occupants — enough to turn people out of their homes without a warrant.”
According to the former City Attorney and now COA of Albuquerque, Rob Perry stated, "Really, what the problem is, oversight and supervision of this unit at the senior management levels was atrocious. ‘That's what permitted this to occur.’" Clearly Pete Dinelli was the Public Safety Director at the time and Ray Schultz was the Chief of Police. Dinelli is gone but Schultz is still here and costing the tax payers big bucks.
Interesting enough, “Perry defended the work of police and code enforcement officers, and said the high-profile evictions that generated headlines and TV coverage weren't necessarily sound policy. ‘Here's the reality: (They) weren't lawyers, but you know what? The former public safety director was, and the former mayor was. And they have to take a certain responsibility for the policies they implemented,’" he said.
Perry spoke condescending about Dinelli and Chavez, but not a word about one of the “Good Ol’ Boys” like Schultz, who is considered part of the City’s “senior management.” Why is Perry willing to shove Dinelli and Chavez under the bus and let Chief Schultz skate by on this one too? You will have to decide that question on your own.
Now Darren White is the Public Safety Director. It looks like the City of Albuquerque “jumped from the pan into the fire.” Way to go Berry.
The Suit was filed by Joe and Shannon Kennedy on behalf of Kevin Lowery and others, a class that they estimate includes roughly 200 individuals or families. The Eye is sure that the Kennedy's will be expecting a huge settlement which has become common when dealing with anything Schultz has his hand in.
The Eye On Albuquerque reported on the abatement team back in July of 2009. The Eye stated in the story, “If we are going to have a nuisance abatement unit, it better have strict procedures and be monitored closely for potential abuse (see here).” But apparently the City did not adhere to our warning then either.
11 comments:
You mean Goober Darren wasn't involved with this one?
Eye you missed a big part of the story. Hotels have been cited because their hallways are to long. Stop to think how much it would cost to shorten a hotel hallway. Then think what top city politician wife owns a construction business and has many friends in the construction busness. There is also stong evidence to suggest that Mr. Berry wants the city to purchase the abandoned building downtown. Wonder who would get the contract to finish that building ?!!!!
"I think accomplishments of the strike force greatly outweigh downside to actions that we took," Dinelli said. "That program was on cutting edge of law enforcement and nationally recognized. I think Albuquerque would be in much worse condition today if we hadn't taken the actions we did. To throw the program under the bus because of a judge's ruling I think would be a major mistake."
Well, if Pete is so proud of his actions, then I think he should take some of the financial responsibility. Or at least turn himself in for his malfeasance in office.
And why in the heck would any LEO take a lead roll in enforcing building code violations. What the hell does a LEO know about buildings.
I hope all you LEOs see that you are being set up to be the patsies over and over again. It's a loose loose situation for you guys. If everything goes OK, the higher ups take the accolades. If not, they are the first ones to lay the blame on you.
Why is Schultz still Chief? If he were in the private sector he would have been fired long ago for costing his employer millions of dollars in lawsuits. Then again, this isn't Berry's money, it isn't Schultz's money, it is the taxpayers money. Therefore Berry and Schutlz don't care.
"Cmon Eye, we want some Darren dirt.
Pig needs some sloppin.
Oh, shouldn't mention that word.
Or sloppy, seconds, thirds or fourths.
CNAU is one of the best things happening at APD. If you lived next to a burned up house that looks that's attracting criminals or a meth lab you would be rejoicing when they are out doing enforcement in your neighborhood, but if you are a slumlord then you sue. I work with them everyday and I could not do a lot of my job without them. CNAU do the best they can with integrity and dedication. CNAU keep your heads up high and continue doing the best job ever!!!
Let's review this one more time till it sinks in your heads.
You can turn these over to a collection agency, but should refuse to pay, so be it. If a collection agency puts a ding on your credit for not paying, you can sue the city. Better be careful with this one boys; it's unconstitutional
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Many bad drivers caught by red light cameras in Albuquerque are thumbing their noses at the tickets and the fines.
The city has more than $10-million dollars in unpaid red light camera tickets.
The current policy is just to ask people to pay the tickets.
"You're issued two letters saying that you have this outstanding debt from these citations and they kindly ask you to pay it," said Albuquerque Public Safety Director Darren White, adding, "I think given the numbers its clear that hasn't worked."
Public safety officials said that has to change. One possibility is sending unpaid tickets to collection agencies.
"If you are issued a citation, we want you to pay that and if you don't we need to go after you," White said.
Any changes to the city's collection policy would have to be approved by the city council.
What should be looked at is the lack of competent legal counsel. The City's legal team never talked to any of the CNAU members in this lawsuit, didn't do any research as to why CNAU does what they do, and never even prepared a quality defense. If they would have read the City's housing code, they would have seen that CNAU only posts the residence "substandard" until it is brough into compliance with the City's housing codes which are a "minimum" standard for cleanliness and safety. Its truly sad that the City failed to see far enough down the road to understand the importance of this lawsuit.
I think you missed that the administration yet again screwed officers just trying to do their job. In this case Rob Perry is backing his buddies who own these crack houses.
I don't think Inonutin Schultz is going to skate on this one. And why is it he hasn't been relieved of duty until this is cleared up?
http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/05/09/36414.htm
Shoot all those assholes and let God sort them out. Those residents who were evicted, need their day in court, and their property restored to them. They also need their homes rebuilt with no out of pocket costs, built to code, and using sustainable and green materials. Agenda 21 talks about using sustainability, you don't achieve that by running people off their land when they are already practicing sustainability. People are being lied to all the time with these deceptive practices. Idleness is the devil's playground. It doesn't take armed thugs to talk to families or individuals about getting their property up to code. Most people will comply if they are made aware of the issues, and cooperate if they know that the codes change. Which in a lot of cases, the codes are updated every three years to keep up with building technologies, and fire safety. Aesthetics should only really apply if you want to sell your property. But then when it comes to marketing, only beauty sells,and we all know how vain the devil is. If you're living off the grid, It makes more sense not to over burden the utility companies. So, enough. Know your rights or your right will be run over.
tention, it can happen to you also.
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