The election for Albuquerque Mayor is on November 2. On the ballot for Mayor is Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, Sheriff Manny Gonzales and Republican Trump radio talk show host Eddy Aragon. Because the City’s crime is considered the number one issue facing the city, the Albuquerque Journal published 3 separate front-page articles on crime in Albuquerque and what the announced candidates intend to do about it.

On October 5 , the Albquerquerqu Journal published a front-page article with the headline “People centric Gonzales Touts Personal Relationships.” The article was written Journal Staff writer Elsie Kaplan. The link to full article is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435589/people-centric-gonzales-touts-personal-relationships.html

This blog article is an in-depth review and analysis of Sheriff’ Manny Gonzales record as Bernalillo County Sheriff gleaning quotes from news sources , followed by a fact check and analysis of his record as Bernalillo County Sheriff.

RELEVANT HIGHLIGHS OF ABQ JOURNAL ARTICLE

Following are the most relevant portions of the October 5 article:

“When speaking of his time as an elected official, Sheriff Manuel Gonzales returns repeatedly to the personal feedback he receives. Input from community members who approach him. The frustrations and complaints about crime that he hears from business leaders and residents.

What Gonzales — who is running on a “tough on crime” platform — mentions less is data. Gonzales, a Democrat, is running against incumbent and fellow Democrat Tim Keller, and Republican Eddy Aragon.

The Sheriff’s Office has not held regular media briefings on crime statistics. Data from 2018 and 2019 has not been included in the FBI’s annual Crime in the United States report.
…
As mayor, Gonzales said he would address such underlying issues as poverty and addiction that often lead to crime by creating more opportunities through community centers, working with local technology hubs, such as Sandia Labs, and bringing new businesses.
…
Gonzales’ terms as sheriff have been marked by his resistance to body cameras. For years, he has said they are not necessary and he would rather invest funding in other ways. That changed last summer when the state Legislature passed a law requiring all law enforcement officers to wear cameras.
…
In contrast to APD, BCSO has not routinely informed the media and the public when a homicide investigation is launched. Instead, it has waited until an arrest has been made. … At one point, the agency responded to a Journal reporter’s questions by posting his email on Facebook as an example of “how hostile the media is toward Law Enforcement.”
…
If elected, Gonzales said he would take more of a back seat when it comes to crime and instead let whomever he chooses as chief of police manage APD.

He said he would not automatically toss out the crime-fighting initiatives his predecessor started.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435589/people-centric-gonzales-touts-personal-relationships.html

SHERIFF MANNY GONZALES IN HIS OWN WORDS

Sheriff Gonzales has been quoted as saying the following in news accounts:

On community relations, Gonzales has this to say:

“I had a conversation last night with a couple that I met while they were having dinner, and they said, ‘thank you for restoring the South Valley, we feel like it’s a crown jewel of the community now. … They go ‘our property has increased, our property value, my quality of life has increased, I feel safe. I have never seen more deputies in this area than I’ve ever seen in the history that I’ve been alive.’ And so, for me, Albuquerque deserves the same thing. It’s just not being provided to them.”

Gonzales had this to say about his office resistance to releasing crime statics:

“I can’t do [crime statistic updates] on a daily basis. … And there is no obligation for us to do it. And, I mean, we have a $50 million budget, but if they would have turned that $250 million budget, I would gladly answer your question then I would be fully responsible for the crime situation in the city. … I’m not here to manipulate numbers. … And I’m not here to toy with people’s public safety. People need to be told the truth about what’s going on. And any time you have a problem, you have to address the problem, right? You have to be candid.”

On finding solutions to the city’s crime rates:

“We have to be willing to exhaust our resources and find a solution for the people because that person would again be out there terrorizing the citizens of Albuquerque instead, now that person’s going away for 20 years. … That is probably the best thing we could do for the citizens in terms of keeping them safe.”

On working with other law enforcement agencies:

“I have the trust of this community, the law enforcement community, whether it be locally or state or even federally. … So, for me, (it’s) through brokering those relationships to ensure that we’re doing a good job.”

Gonzales had this to say about not working with Albuquerque Police Department on crime initiatives:

“The analogy I can give you is that we were on the field playing, and they were in the stands, and sometimes in the parking lot watching the game. … I really feel that, based on the compliance piece of APD, they felt they were not as supported to do their jobs. And so, for us, I didn’t want to put our deputies in the position that they were there to help them and that we were going to support each other, because that’s not the way it was working out.”

Gonzales said he would consider consolidation of APD and BCSO because he wants “to do whatever it takes” to reduce crime and said:

“In order to maybe reduce and alleviate the Albuquerque Police Department from all the things that they had to comply with [under the DOJ consent decree] , it may be easier to contract out to us. … We can start training more deputies, they could start servicing people in the Albuquerque police areas, and then that would give them the opportunity to alleviate them from those and focus on compliance.”

Gonzales, who calls himself and his agency “people-centric” and “victim-centric,” said he loves when his deputies go out to talk to business owners about the issues they’re seeing and said:

“It might be something that might be more of a social issue. It might be homelessness; it might be something other than crime. Then, we’re just trying to figure out, how do we bridge that gap for the person that’s having that issue, and that resource to get them help? So, it’s not all about policing.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435589/people-centric-gonzales-touts-personal-relationships.html

On August 11, 2020, then President Trump (@realDonaldTrump) tweeted:

“Thank you to Sheriff Gonzales of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, for joining my call with our Nation’s sheriffs. Appreciate your partnership to help make your county safe – great comments on Operation Legend!”

https://t.co/M41wLOg5ZA

When asked if going to the White House to discuss Operation Legend and the assignment of Federal Agents was a good decision his response was:

“I think it was great decision. [As for the criticism], I feel like it exposes those people who said they were going to make public safety their number one issue … then left the people of Bernalillo County holding the bag on crime and the issues that come with it. If somebody is willing to help this community out – local, federal or state – I’ll go wherever I need to go to keep the people safe. That’s what I swore to do and I would do it all over again.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2371964/sheriffs-childhood-dream-keeping-people-safe.html

Sheriff Manny Gonzales has said he answers to no one other than those who vote for him and said:

“I don’t work for the governor. I don’t work for the mayor. I don’t work for the president of the United States. I answer to the people who voted me into office.”

On December 19, Gonzales on a video proclaimed he will not enforce “unconstitutional laws” when it comes to the corona virus pandemic. Gonzales said he sympathized with business owners and houses of worship, and accused politicians of “turning everyday citizens into villains” and said:

“I choose to direct this agency’s time and resources to the laws deemed to keep people free of crime. … Overreaching restrictions will harm our community. For that reason, we will not follow along with any orders that subvert constitutional rights.”

A link to the YouTube Video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v95B1lpt_PM

Sheriff Gonzales in a letter to District Attorney Raul Torrez, Gonzales objected to the disclosures mandated by the United States Supreme Court of all information or material that may be used to impeach the credibility of sheriff deputies who are witnesses for the prosecution in any case and wrote:

“We believe the information requested in your questionnaire intrudes on the privacy rights of our deputies and is constitutionally immaterial.”

In a statement, Sheriff Gonzales added:

“[The DA’s letters contain] false allegations and direct contradictions of what I have instructed our deputies to do, and that is to follow the law. … Understanding the Brady and Giglio court rulings’ intent, the Sheriff’s Office has a questionnaire form each deputy is required to answer, which sufficiently meets the obligations under Giglio and Brady. … Finally, in lieu of threatening this office with frivolous litigation, Mr. Torrez should instead focus on prosecuting cases and obtaining justice for victims in Bernalillo County, which he has failed to do.”

After being denied public finance by the City Clerk and the Courts, Gonzales had this to say:

“This is something that has never happened to another campaign. And I think that’s going to be the driving force, and the motivation, and the inspiration for us winning this race. … What we want people to know is that not only am I more inspired than ever but I’m also ready to win this race on behalf of the people.”

THE GONZALES RECORD AS SHERIFF

Sheriff Manny Gonzales record as the elected Bernalillo County Sheriff for the last 6 years has been glossed over or simply not reported by news accounts. His record merits review given his “tough on crime” platform.

CRIME INCREASES IN COUNTY

Sheriff Gonzales has consistently said when it comes to crime he will do with the city what he has done with the county. If that is the case, do not expect much.

On Sunday July 17, the Albuquerque Journal published a below the fold front page article entitled “Statistics show increase in Bernalillo County Crime in 2020” with the article written by Journal staff reporter Elise Kaplan. The link to the entire news article is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2410705/statistics-show-increase-in-bernalillo-county-crime-in-2020.html

According to unofficial data released to the Journal in response to an Inspection of Public Records request, both violent and property crimes have increased in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County in 2020. The statistics sent by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to the FBI for its annual Crime in the United States report revealed that the violent crimes of homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assault combined increased by 26.6%, from 792 incidents in 2019 to 1,003 in 2020. Property crimes consisting of burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson combined increased 16.5%, from 2,647 to 3,084 crimes.

A breakdown of BCSO reported crime under Gonzales for the last 2 years is as follows:

BCSO VIOLENT CRIME STATISTICS

Homicides: 2019: 9, 2020: 8 (-11.0% decrease)
Rapes: 2019: 54, 2020: 91 (+68.5% increase)
Robbery: 2019: 86, 2020: 127 (+47.7% increase)
Aggravated Assault: 2019: 643, 2020: 777 (+20% increase)

Total: 2019: 792, 2020: 1,003 (+26.6% Increase)

BCSO PROPERTY CRIME STATISTICS

Arson: 2019: 4, 2020: 11 (175% increase)
Burglary: 2019: 569, 2020: 615 (9% increase)
Larceny Theft: 2019: 1,175, 2020: 1,507 (28.3% increase)
Motor Vehicle: 2019: 899, 2020: 951 (5.8% increase)

Totals: 2019: 2,647, 2020: 3,084 (16.5% increase)

https://www.abqjournal.com/2410705/statistics-show-increase-in-bernalillo-county-crime-in-2020.html

On September 22, the on-line news outlet “The Paper” published a report based on data provided by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and reviewed by the Paper. According to the revised statistics provided by BCSO, violent crime climbed in the county from 783 in 2019 to 838 in 2020, an 8% increase. BCSO previously reported an increase of more than 26%. It is not clear which crimes BCSO “hand counted” in July were changed or removed from the final statistics submitted to the FBI. New statistics show that Bernalillo County had one fewer homicide in 2020 but other violent crimes including rape and aggravated assaults, which jumped from 714 cases in 2019 to 743 in 2020, increased significantly.

Property crimes in the county also increased from 2019 to 2020 by about 4%. The statistics show that 2,734 cases of property crime were reported in 2020 compared to 2,629 cases in 2019. The area that experienced the most significant increase in property crime was larceny-theft, which increased from 1,149 in 2019 to 1,263 in 2020, or by 10%.

https://abq.news/2021/09/crime-in-bernalillo-county-rose-in-2020/

“USE OF DEADLY FORCE” CASES DURING SHERIFF GONZALES TENURE

The most troubling aspect of Gonzales tenure as Sheriff are the major lawsuits filed against the department under his watch. Over the last 2 year period Bernalillo County Government has been forced to pay out upwards of $10 million in settlements involving the Bernalillo County Sheriff deputies for systemic racial profiling, excessive use of force and deadly force.

When settlements he did not like were announced, Gonzalez said the amounts were excessive and he defended the actions of his sheriff’s deputies. As an act of defiance, Gonzales even issued commendations to the deputies involved with the killing of an 88-year-old suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, claiming the deputies acted properly.

Following is a listing of the major cases and settlement amounts:

2015 WRONFUL DEATH OF FIDENCIO DURAN: $1,495,000 SETTLEMENT

It was on September 14, 2015, Fidencio Duran, 88, died after he was shot numerous times with a “pepper ball” gun after he encountered BCSO Deputy Sheriffs in the South Valley. Mr. Duran was partially blind and deaf and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. His wife of 67 years had died the day before after a three-year bout with illness. Duran wandered around the neighborhood shirtless. He banged on the door of a neighbor, who called the BCSO.

When BCSO Deputies arrived, a 90-minute standoff ensued with Duran reportedly holding a four-inch knife. Eventually, the BCSO officers fired over 50 rounds of pepper balls at him from two directions. BCSO officers unleashed a muzzled K9 police dog after shooting with pepper balls. The dog knocked the 115-pound man over, breaking his femur and hip. Duran never left the hospital, succumbing to pneumonia as a result of his injuries a month later. A doctor from the Office of the Medical Investigator “determined that the manner of death was Homicide” according to a civil lawsuit filed.

In an ostensible act of defiance, Sheriff Manny Gonzales issued commendations to his sheriff deputies involved.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/02/09/albu-f09.html

2017 WRONGFULL DEATH OF ROBERT CHAVEZ: $700,000 SETTLEMENT

On August 16, 2017, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies spotted a stolen car near Coors and ILiff. When they tried to pull over the vehicle a chase ensued. The stolen vehicle crashed into Robert Chavez’, 66, car near Broadway and Avenida Cesar Chavez in the Southwest part of the city. When Robert Chavez was hit, Chavez broke his back, shoulder, forearm, wrist, ribs and pelvis in the crash and also had other internal injuries. Chavez went into a coma and died 11 days after the crash. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the county and BCSO. The BCSO Sheriff Department’s old policy would not have allowed officers to pursue for a stolen vehicle, but Sheriff Manny Gonzales changed the hot pursuit policy allowing such chases a year before the fatal crash

https://www.abqjournal.com/1210343/man-injured-in-bcso-chase-dies.html

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/family-attorney-county-

2017 KILLING OF MARTIN JIM AND SHOOTING OF ISAAC PADILLA: $3.3 MILLION SETTLEMENT

On November 17, 2017, BCSO Deputies, at around 4 am in the morning, initiated a high-speed chase of a stolen truck across the South Valley on November 17, 2017. A BCSO Deputy rammed the truck at Coors and Glenrio NW on Albuquerque’s West Side obliterating the front driver’s-side wheel. With the truck at a standstill, two BCSO deputies parked their vehicles to block the truck from moving forward. Another deputy soon arrived on the scene. In the span of 18 seconds, the deputy jumped from his car, ran to the truck, yelled commands at the driver, and fired 7 shots into the vehicle occupied by 3 passengers, including a 4-year-old child. A settlement in the case was reached after Senior U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera of Albuquerque ruled that a “reasonable jury could conclude that the Deputy acted unreasonably.”

On May 21, 2020, it was reported that the family of Martin Jim, 25, the man killed in 2017 incident settled the federal excessive force lawsuit against the county for $1.5 million. An earlier $400,000 state court settlement arising from the same deadly shooting paid to Jim’s partner, Shawntay Ortiz and his four-year-old son, amounted to $1.9 million. That is an addition to the $1.36 million settlement paid to the estate of the driver of the pickup truck, Isaac Padilla, 23, who was also killed. Another $40,000 was paid to two other passengers in the truck. The total payout to resolve legal claims related to Deputy Joshua Mora’s actions was $3.3 million.

Sheriff Manny Gonzales maintained Martin Jim’s death was unintentional and that the killing of Isaac Padilla, the driver of the truck, was justified. No weapons were found in the truck negating the deputies defense that his actions were justified and in self-defense.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1458471/settlements-in-bcso-shooting-total-33-million-deputy-opened-fire-killing-driver-passenger-in-stolen-truck.html

2019 THE KILLING ELISHA LUCERO: $4 MILLION SETTLEMENT

On July 21, 2019, Elisha Lucero, 28, who suffered psychosis and schizophrenia, was shot to death in front of her RV, which was parked in front of her family’s South Valley home. BCSO Deputies had responded to the home after a relative called 911 saying Lucero had hit her uncle in the face. According to the 911 call, a relative said Lucero was mentally ill, needed help, and was a threat to herself and to everybody else. Just one month prior, Lucero had called BCSO and asked to be taken to the hospital for mental health issues.

According to the lawsuit, when deputies arrived, they said Lucero initially refused to come out of the home. Eventually, the 4-foot-11 Lucero, naked from the waist up, ran out screaming and armed with a kitchen knife. The BCSO Deputies pulled their revolvers and shot her claiming they feared for their lives. According to an autopsy report, Lucero was shot at least 21 times by the deputies. The two BCSO Deputies who shot and killed Elisha Lucero were not wearing lapel cameras.

The Lucero lawsuit filed alleges Sheriff Manny Gonzales fostered a “culture of aggression” in the department and too few deputies were trained to handle people with mental health issues. On March 6th, it was reported that Bernalillo County settled the Lucero family lawsuit for $4 Million dollars.

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/family-of-elisha-lucero-settles-case-with-bcso-for-4m-/5667056/

https://www.abqjournal.com/1428402/family-of-mentally-ill-woman-shot-by-bcso-gets-4m-settlement.html

https://www.abqjournal.com/1428402/family-of-mentally-ill-woman-shot-by-bcso-gets-4m-settlement.html

BCSO RACIAL PROFILING CASES SETTLED: $100,000 SETTLEMENT AND COUNTING

It was on December 6, 2017 that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico filed a lawsuit on behalf of Sherese Crawford, a 38-year-old African-American woman on temporary assignment in New Mexico as an Immigration and Customs Agent (ICE) deportation officer. The lawsuit alleged that Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies racially profiled her by pulling her over three times, twice by the same deputy, within a month with no probable cause or reasonable suspicion that she was breaking the law. None of the three times she was pulled over was she given a warning or a citation.

ACLU of New Mexico Staff Attorney Kristin Greer Love had this to say at the time:

“Our client is an accomplished federal agent who was targeted for driving while black … BCSO unlawfully and repeatedly stopped her because she fit a racial profile. Targeting people because of the color of their skin is unconstitutional and bad policing. Racial discrimination has no place in New Mexico, and BCSO must take immediate action to ensure that this behavior does not continue.”

https://www.aclu-nm.org/en/press-releases/aclu-files-racial-profiling-lawsuit-against-bcso

On July 8, 2020, it was reported that two black women from Wisconsin are suing Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales and two deputies alleging racial and religious profiling stemming from a traffic stop in July 2017. The lawsuit was filed about five months after Bernalillo County reached a $100,000 settlement with Sherese Crawford, a 38-year-old African-American who filed a lawsuit against BCSO after she was pulled over three times in 28 days by BCSO deputies Patrick Rael and Leonard Armijo, the same deputies named in the new lawsuit, in spring 2017.

The civil case was filed by Sisters Consweyla and Cynthia Minafee, and a 5-year-old child, Yahaven Pylant, were traveling from Phoenix back to Wisconsin when they were pulled over by a BCSO deputy on Interstate 40 the morning of July 7, 2017. Cynthia Minafee was Yahaven’s legal guardian at the time. According to the lawsuit, the traffic stop lasted almost an hour and included an extensive search of the vehicle with a drug dog. According to the lawsuit, the deputy told the women to get out of the car and said he could smell marijuana on Cynthia. Cynthia said that she had not smoked in the car and that there was no marijuana in the vehicle. Consweyla Minafee, the driver, was not issued a traffic citation, but Cynthia Minafee was issued a citation for not having Yahaven properly restrained. The citation was dismissed in May, online court records show.

A link to a news source is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/1473973/two-bcso-deputies-face-second-racial-profiling-lawsuit.html

SHERIFF GONZALES OPPOSITION TO DOJ REFORMS

Gonzales has nothing good to say at all about the need for the APD police reforms. On March 21, Sheriff Gonzales gave his opinion of the Department of Justice consent agreement with the Albuquerque Police Department and other issues and had this to say:

“APD officers are working in an environment to fail. … they are subjected to being assaulted, battered, spit on and second-guessed. … [Bail reform] has failed miserably. It did reduce the jail population but at the expense of public safety. … [The matrix] used by the court’s to determine which defendants are eligible for release [is] fuel to the fire. It should be banished as a reliable matrix … It emboldens criminals. … Sanctuary city attracts criminals to Albuquerque.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The city has never been a “sanctuary city”. A “sanctuary city” denies cooperation with federal immigration officials and does not use city law enforcement resources to identify or apprehend illegal immigrants and does not use city law enforcement resources to enforce immigration laws. In 2001 the Albuquerque City Council enacted a resolution that declared Albuquerque an “immigrant friendly” city. Albuquerque’s “immigrant friendly” designation welcomes immigrants to the city and is largely symbolic. In February, 2017, the City Council enacted a symbolic memorial that reaffirmed that Albuquerque’s “immigrant friendly” status, but not as a “sanctuary city”.

A link to source material is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2371964/sheriffs-childhood-dream-keeping-people-safe.html

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MANDATED REFORMS

It was on November 10, 2014 the City and APD entered into a federal Court Approved Settlement Agreement (CASA) mandating sweeping changes to APD policy and training on the use of force and deadly force. For the last 6 years the City and APD have been struggling to implement 176 reforms and have spent millions on the reforms. The Sheriff’s public comments show a level of ignorance of the Court Approved Settlement Agreement (CASA) and what brought the Department of Justice to Albuquerque in the first place.

It is known to many in law enforcement that Gonzales has significant reservation and disagreements with the settlement agreement. Just a few of the DOJ reforms Sheriff Manny Gonzales is likely to find very problematic and object to as Mayor Gonzales are:

1.The new “use of force” and “use of deadly force” policies that have been written, implemented and all APD sworn have received training on.
2. The implemented and strict “Constitutional policing” practices and methods, and mandatory crisis intervention techniques and de-escalation tactics with the mentally ill that must now be used.
3. APD’s “Use of Force Review Board” that oversees all internal affairs investigations of use of force and deadly force by APD Officers.
4. APD’s system to hold officers and supervisors accountable for all use of force incidents with personnel procedures implemented detailing how use of force cases are investigated.
5. APD’s revised and updated policies on the mandatory use of lapel cameras by all sworn police officers.
6. The new Civilian Police Oversight Agency created, funded, and fully staffed.
7. The Community Policing Counsels (CPCs) created in all area commands and recommendations made by the CPCs to the Chief on discipline.
8. The Mental Health Advisory Committee for APD.
As Mayor, it is likely he will give APD the leeway to return to unconstitutional policing practices as he did with the Sheriff’s Office such as allowing shooting at fleeing cars.

OPPOSITION TO GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a public health crisis and issued emergency health orders to deal with the Corona Virus pandemic. The public health orders are allowed by New Mexico State law. The Public Health orders took the form of retail business closures, restaurant closures, cancellation of public events, school closings, church closings, and limiting gathering and self-quarantine orders and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

On December 19, a defiant Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales on a video proclaims he will not enforce “unconstitutional laws” when it comes to the corona virus pandemic. In a video posted to YouTube, Gonzales said he sympathizes with business owners and houses of worship, and accused politicians of “turning everyday citizens into villains.” Gonzales got the publicity he coveted when local news agencies covered the story. Gonzales had this to say:

“I choose to direct this agency’s time and resources to the laws deemed to keep people free of crime. … Overreaching restrictions will harm our community. For that reason, we will not follow along with any orders that subvert constitutional rights.”

A link to the YouTube Video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v95B1lpt_PM

Governor Michell Lujan Grisham’s office issued the following statement in response to Sheriff Gonzales:

“Over 2,000 New Mexicans have been killed by COVID-19, including over 460 people in Bernalillo County. It is deeply disappointing, not to mention directly harmful, that any public official would take any action that undermines the health and safety of their community. All New Mexicans should agree on the importance of doing anything and everything we can to save lives.”

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/bcso-sheriff-said-he-will-not-enforce-lsquounconstitutional-lawsrsquo-under-statersquos-covid-response/5956363/?cat=500

When Sherriff Gonzales declared the Governors public health orders as “unconstitutional”, he used the exact same inflammatory rhetoric the Republican party used regarding the health orders. Virtually all the lawsuits filed to set aside the Governor’s public health orders as “unconstitutional” were thrown out by the New Mexico Supreme Court almost as quickly as they were filed.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

With 30 years’ experience in law enforcement and the city’s out of control violent crime statistics, it is not at all surprising that Sheriff Gonzales is running for Mayor on a “law and order” platform. Sheriff Manny Gonzales boldly proclaims he can do a better job than Mayor Tim Keller when it comes to crime. Every time a homicide occurs in Albuquerque, Gonzales issues a press release or takes to social media proclaiming that voters need to “take back” the city from the criminals.

The blunt truth is that Sheriff Manny Gonzales has been just as ineffective in bringing down crime in the county as Mayor Keller has been in bringing down crime in the city, and Gonzales has 26 more years’ experience than Keller in law enforcement. Gonzales really has nothing to offer to bring down crime other than doing what he has done for 30 years which are arrest sweeps.

There is absolutely no doubt that Gonzales knows criminal law enforcement. He knows that the forging of a person’s signature is a 4th degree felony caring a criminal basic sentence of 18 months in jail and that fraud to secure $661,000 in public financing is a second-degree felony caring 18-year basic sentence. Yet “Law and Order” Gonzales refused to take any responsibility for his campaign staff forging signatures to secure $5 donation receipts. Gonzales went so far as to say he was not aware of what was going on and that such conduct is common place in pollical campaigns. When he was denied public financing by the court, he labeled the judge as “unethical”.

FAILURE TO WORK WITH OTHERS

Sherriff Manny Gonzales has show himself to be a person who listens and answers to no one. During his 7 years as Sheriff, Gonzales has refused to cooperate and do anything the County Commission or County Manager asked of him. Two years ago the Bernalillo County Commission allocated $1 million in startup money, plus $500,000 in recurring annual funds for the sheriff’s office to get dashboard cameras and lapel cameras, but Sheriff Gonzales refused and no equipment was ever purchased. It took the New Mexico legislature to mandate lapel camera usage before Gonzales agreed to it.

Sheriff Gonzales for years resisted civilian oversight often ignoring the citizen advisory board recommendations. Sheriff Gonzales’ resistance to the U.S. Supreme Court mandated disclosures of police misconduct of officers who testify in court reflects an archaic philosophy.

Gonzales acts as if a badge gives him a license to practice law and he actions reflect that he feels law enforcement is above the law. As Mayor confronted with a health crisis such as a pandemic, he no doubt will be empowered to decide on his own what the public needs to do or not do.

It is not even certain he will listen to the courts and do what they tell him whenever the time comes to it. His resistance to cooperate with the District Attorney’s Office and disclose what is required to be disclosed by the US Supreme Court indicates he feels law enforcement is above the law.

As Mayor, he will likely ignore the City Council, ignore the Police Oversight Board and Civilian Policing Councils saying they did not elect him. He will also likely do what he can to ignore the federal Court Approved Settlement Agreement and the reforms, saying he did not agree to them and as a former law enforcement official he feels the CASA has been a disaster.

VOTERS WILL DECIDE IF WE NEED A RELIC

The deaths of Fidencio Duran, Robert Chavez, Martin Jim, and Elisha Lucero as well as the shooting injuries to Isaac Padilla, Shawntay Ortiz and his four-year-old son were all preventable had BCSO Sheriff’s Deputies been properly trained in constitutional policing practices. In this day and age of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter Movement, there is absolutely no excuse for BCSO to be involved with racial profiling cases involving any minority. A Mayor Gonzales will likely always go to the defense of any APD police officers defending their actions even when they violate constitutional policing practices that result in someone’s death.

As Mayor, Manny Gonzales will bring to the table his law enforcement credentials and his archaic law enforcement philosophy but that’s it. Sheriff Manny Gonzales has shown himself to be a law enforcement relic to by gone days. Voters need to decide if Gonzales is what we need now as Mayor, but do not expect too much if he wins and do not be surprised when things get worse.

A link to a related Dinelli blog article is here:

Der Führer Trump’s Favorite Democrat Sherriff Manny Gonzales Runs For Mayor; A DINO And Law Enforcement Dinosaur

The election for Albuquerque Mayor is on Tuesday, November 2. On the ballot for Mayor are progressive Democrat Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, conservative Democrat Sheriff Manny Gonzales and Republican Trump radio talk show host Eddy Aragon.

On October 6, the Albquerquerqu Journal published a front-page article with the headline “Aragon decries ‘gimmicky’ promises on crime”. The article was written Journal Staff writer Matthew Reisen. The link to the full article is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435910/aragon-decries-gimmicky-promises-on-crime.html

This blog article is an analysis of Eddy Aragon’s comments and positions on issues reflecting that he is a “QAnon” conspiracy candidate in the 2021 Albuquerque mayor’s race.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ABQ JOURNAL ARTICLE

The most disturbing major highlights and comments made by Eddy Aragon in the October 6 Albuquerque Journal article as it pertains to this blog article are as follows:

…

At times, Aragon also makes unverifiable claims about controversial topics — one being that attempts to take down the Juan de Oñate statue were a “complete and total setup” to “steer the masses.” That protest, in June 2020, made national headlines after it ended with a man being shot multiple times. He did not respond when asked to elaborate further.

Aragon also asserts that much of the crime in Albuquerque is tied to cartels, a certain faction of the homeless population and corruption. He said that, as mayor, he would expose those in organized crime who work with city government and cartels to “control the streets.”

Asked to identify the people he says are working with city government and the cartels to control the streets, Aragon declines [to answer or elaborate and said]:

“I want to at least make it to the election. … I constantly say I’ll either be murdered or I’ll become mayor. …”

The televisions in Aragon’s studio — where he currently resides — are kept on such networks as One America News Network. Conservative pundit Steve Bannon is often on the screen.

Aragon is an outspoken fan of former President Trump and, where crime is concerned, said he admired the way Rudy Giuliani cracked down on crime as mayor of New York.

…

OTHER MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

Other major highlights of the article are as follows:

“The conservative radio host turned mayoral candidate said he hates what he considers dog-and-pony shows on crime-fighting efforts put on by Mayor Tim Keller’s administration. Aragon called the promises to lower crime “gimmicky.”
…
Unlike his opponents, Mayor Keller and Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales, Aragon has never run a city or a sheriff’s department. He said he has, however, kept a pulse of crime in Albuquerque through news articles, officers who confide in him, his listeners and residents …

Aragon said he believes the key to solving Albuquerque’s crime problem involves taking better care of officers, rebuilding specialized units and offering a more hands-on approach with reform efforts. To do so, he said he would enlist a council of people, mostly retired law enforcement, to inform his decisions on police and crime.
…

Aragon said 1,500 officers are needed to patrol the streets of Albuquerque. To reach that number, he said, officers need to feel appreciated. APD currently has about 900 officers.
…
He said he would “immediately” reallocate $18 million from unscheduled overtime pay to give officers a bonus, up to $18,000 for some, without increasing taxes. When pressed for details, Aragon said he would make the directive, and work with the department and union to figure out specifics.

He said he would also pass a no settlement policy on lawsuits to support officers and would “forensically” audit the department top to bottom to get a picture of what they’re doing day to day and “better help them.”
…
Aragon said he would also get involved in the Department of Justice reform effort by building a better relationship with the independent monitor and being “more combative” to advocate for the police officers.
…
Regarding the police union, Aragon said he would be in constant communication to get the “pulse” of officers, but establish healthy boundaries so they aren’t “controlling” him.

Aragon said the only measure of success in fighting crime is lowering “every single category.” The answer is not to hide behind national trends, he said.

Aragon said he would employ a multi-faceted approach to fighting crime and doesn’t believe in ShotSpotter devices or gun buybacks. He said he would focus on violent crime by staffing special units, particularly the gang unit. Aragon said he would also have officers assigned to specific neighborhoods, not moving from place to place.

Aragon said he would make sure police dispatch is better staffed so people are not waiting for help. He said he would have officers arrest people on misdemeanors to keep track of “the build-up of crime that happens over time.”

Aragon … claimed a significant portion of crime in Albuquerque is tied to homeless people, but that he is not trying to criminalize the population.
Aragon said many homeless people need help with drug and mental health issues, and that he would offer that. He said he would target those who “choose” to be homeless, and exploit others through rape and violence. …

EDDY ARAGON IN HIS OWN WORDS

Aragon is quoted as saying in the October 6 Journal article:

“It’s important for us to understand what the real problems are, I don’t know that we do … I’m the best option because, essentially, I’m going to be there to listen … and make quick decisions.”

“I love everything about Albuquerque, I just hate where we’re at right now. Way too much finger-pointing, not enough … problem-solving. … And I think I could do it in a very short time. I don’t believe in force. I believe in flow; we need to change the direction we’re going in.”

Aragon makes outlandish claims about controversial topics including that attempts to take down the Juan de Oñate statue were a “complete and total setup” to “steer the masses.”

Asked to identify the people he says are working with city government and the cartels to control the streets, Aragon says:

“I want to at least make it to the election. … I constantly say I’ll either be murdered or I’ll become mayor. …”

“People need to trust police officers again, we need to get back to re-funding the police … build morale, let them know they’re fully supported. … I don’t know if [APD Officers are] spending five hours filling out paperwork or five hours out on the street. And the fact is that nobody really knows any of these things.”

“[The Department of Justice settlement] is something that I will have to deal with, and the only way that I can do that is by picking up the phone and saying, ‘this is unreasonable. This is a bit too much. … You want to ask for forgiveness, never for permission. The thing is, we’ve given them permission to do absolutely everything.”

“We’ve got to do a better job of knowing who our criminals are.”

“… we need to understand the paradigms of the crimes that are out there. That can be communicated more effectively by the mayor, instead of hiding and saying, ‘Well, here’s what we’re improving.’ ”

“GIMMICKY” PLEDGE TO CUT HOMICIDES BY 50% AND HOMELESSNESS BY 75%

On October 6, Eddy Aragon announced a one-term “ultimatum” to Albuquerque voters promising to cut homicides by 50% and to reduce homelessness by 75%. He further pledged that if he fails, he will not seek reelection in 2025. He argues that for 4 years Mayor Tim Keller has promised to turn our police department around and ran in 2017 on fighting crime and making Albuquerque safe. According to the Aragon post “That’s a promise, and it’s a promise no politician would make, because no politician dares to bet their career on the outcome of the policies they implement.

The link to the challenge is here:

https://www.rockoftalk.chat/p/eddys-one-term-promise-to-save-our?r=bil78&utm%20campaign=post&utm%20medium=web&utm%20souce=

OTHER TROUBLING COMMENTS AND POSITIONS

ARAGON OPPOSES VACCINATIONS

On Monday, August 23, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine making it the first in the United States to win the coveted designation and giving even more businesses, schools and universities greater confidence to adopt vaccine mandates.

On August 28, during a Near North Valley Coalition Mayoral forum held live in real time and posted on Youtube, Aragon boasted to the audience he has not been vaccinated. The single most obscene argument made by Aragon during the debate for not taking the vaccine was his sick or very warped use of the term “my body, my right to choose” a term used by people who support the “right to choose” when it comes to abortion.

A person has every right to choose not to take any vaccine to protect themselves from a disease, but there is absolutely no constitutional right to catch a contagious disease and then spread it to others resulting in death. A woman’s right to choose should never be compared on the same level as receiving inoculation for a contagious disease.

The You Tube link to the debate is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MNNOYT9wYs

Aragon has also said he opposes a vaccine mandate for the city’s workforce.

OTHER ARAGON CRAZY TALK

Aragon has aggressively promoted himself as the only Republican in the Mayor’s race. According to Aragon:

“I will do my best to continue to fight our fight [of opposing progressives] so we can keep some level of balance. Anything that’s great in this country has always been achieved through argument and conflict and confrontation, but also a certain level of compromise that comes out organically by people presenting their arguments or choices.”

When you examine what Aragon has said, the only thing certain is that there is no level of compromise with him as he offends and goes on the vicious attack of all Democrats and progressives.

As Mayor, there is no doubt Eddy Aragon will seek to defeat Democrats at all levels, something he has done in the past. Conservative radio talk show host Eddy Aragon has:

1. Called for the election of conservative republicans to “save Albuquerque” by electing 3 of 5 city councilors in 2021.
2. He has said the only way Republicans can take back New Mexico is to take back Albuquerque.
3. Aragon has called for the removal of the Democratic majorities in the New Mexico House by “flipping” 8 Albuquerque House seats.
4. Aragon has called for removal of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham by nominating the strongest Republican Governor candidate.
5. Aragon has said that Republicans need to fight democrats and do battle with Democrats on “every one of their agenda items”
6. Aragon has a proclaimed he has over 13,000 signatures to impeach Governor Lujan Grisham.
7. Aragon has boldly proclaimed that he is “widely known” as Trump’s biggest supporter and most vocal in New Mexico.

The link to the source material is here:

https://www.rockoftalk.chat/p/eddy-aragons-final-letter-to-republican

OPPOSES “IMMIGRANT FRIENDLY” POLICIES

Aragon’s pledge to conservative Trump Republican to “fight our fight” against progressives extends to the city’s “immigrant friendly” policies arguing they lean too far to the left under Mayor Tim Keller.

The city has never been a “sanctuary city”. A “sanctuary city” denies cooperation with federal immigration officials and does not use city law enforcement resources to identify or apprehend illegal immigrants and does not use city law enforcement resources to enforce immigration laws.

In 2001 the Albuquerque City Council enacted a resolution that declared Albuquerque an “immigrant friendly” city. Albuquerque’s “immigrant friendly” designation welcomes immigrants to the city and is largely symbolic. In February, 2017, the City Council enacted a symbolic memorial that reaffirmed that Albuquerque’s “immigrant friendly” status, but not as a “sanctuary city”.

Policies and programs that Aragon likely opposes is the “Office of Equity and Inclusion”, which is the former Human Rights Office and the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs. Both offices are critical to a city as diversified as Albuquerque, but Aragon no doubt feels the city is helping the undocumented who should be arrested and deported for seeking refuge in the United States.

PANDEMIC HEALTH CARE ORDERS

Aragon’s pledge to conservative Trump Republicans to continue to “fight our fight” against progressives extends to pandemic-related business lockdowns. As Mayor there is absolutely nothing Aragon could do to stop such closures if they are in fact ordered again. If he tries, he will likely be slapped silly with a civil lawsuit and then be fined for violating public health care closure orders.

It is recommended that Aragon pick up the phone and call Grants Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks who vowed to defy the governor’s lockdown orders that shuttered nonessential shops to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. On May 28, 2020, the New Mexico Supreme Court granted the writ against the unhinged Grants Mayor Hicks that was sought by Attorney General Hector Balderas, prohibiting him from operating city facilities in defiance of state public health orders and prohibiting him from issuing directives that contradicted the health care orders. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the New Mexico Department of Health has the authority to enforce emergency public health orders and may issue a civil penalty of $5,000 per day.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1460567/court-grants-mayor-must-follow-health-orders-ex-mayor-had-urged-local-businesses-to-defy-the-governors-ruling.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-grants-new-mexico-mayor-martin-hicks-showdown-police-lockdown/

The New Mexico “Public Health Act” (NMPHA), and the “Public Health Emergency Response Act” (PHERA) give the Governor broad powers to mandate closures.

Links to review the entire Public Health Act can be found are here:

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2013/chapter-24/article-1/

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/new-mexico/nmstatutes/new_mexico_statutes_24-1-1
Link to the New Mexico Public Health Emergency Response Act is here:

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2006/nmrc/jd_ch12art10a-712b.html

FACT CHECK ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY

There should be absolutely no doubt that Eddy Aragon is a “QAnon” candidate in this year’s Mayor’s race. That is the only conclusion any reasonable voter can come to with Aragon’s far-right centered, unverifiable claims about controversial topics such as the attempts to take down the Juan de Oñate statue as a “complete and total setup” to “steer the masses” without providing any evidence of his claims.

ARAGON’S OTHER CRAZY TALK

Aragon talks “crazy” when he does not elaborate or provide any proof and proclaims crime in Albuquerque is tied to cartels, a certain faction of the homeless population and government corruption. It’s crazy talk when he says as mayor, he would expose those in organized crime who work with city government and cartels to “control the streets” and tells the Journal:

“I want to at least make it to the election. … I constantly say I’ll either be murdered or I’ll become mayor. …”

Then there is Eddy Aragon’s outlandish promises he will cut homicides by 50% and reduce homelessness by 75%, yet Aragon himself called the promises to lower crime “gimmicky.” Aragon offers absolutely no explanation how he would stop homicides by 50%, what mandates or orders he will issue to APD nor how he will reduce homelessness by 75%. All he does is say he would just not run again in 2022 if he is not successful.

INGNORANCE OF APD

Aragon’s crazy talk extends to APD when says “we need to get back to re-funding the police” and he reveals his total ignorance of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). On May 17, the Albuquerque City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2021-2022 APD budget of over $227 million city budget. The city has never “de-funded” APD as Aragon is implying.

The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) is the largest budget department in the city out of 27 departments. The 2021-2022 APD Budget provides funding for 1,100 sworn positions and 592 civilian support positions for a total of 1,692 full-time positions or approximately one fourth of the city’s total of 6,400 employees. It also includes funding for new positions, including 11 investigators to support internal affairs and the department’s reform obligations under the Federal Court Approved Settlement Agreement.

When Aragon said he would also have “officers assigned to specific neighborhoods, not moving from place to place”,he ostensibly does not know that APD does exactly that with 6 area commands, 6 substations and has community outreach programs. He obviously is not aware that there are 6 community policing councils (CPCs) made up of community civilian volunteer boards who met once a month and are given crime statistical reports for the neighborhoods by APD commanders and sergeants.

Aragon shows his total ignorance of the Judicial system when he says:

“[The Department of Justice settlement] is something that I will have to deal with, and the only way that I can do that is by picking up the phone and saying, ‘this is unreasonable. This is a bit too much. … You want to ask for forgiveness, never for permission. The thing is, we’ve given them permission to do absolutely everything”.

He does not understand that the consent decree and all its terms were fully negotiated by the city after the Justice Department found a pattern of excessive use of force and deadly force and a culture of aggression. The settlement does not give the Federal Court nor the Federal Monitor any management nor control over APD, its personnel or standard operating procedures. It’s up the Mayor and APD to implement the reforms and “picking up a phone” is not going to get APD out of the consent decree. What is needed is a court hearing with the presentation of evidence, not just hearsay, that the consent decree needs to be modified.

WILL ARAGON CONCEDE THE RACE?

Eddy Aragon goes out of his way to point out that he is a staunch supporter of Der Führer Trump to the point that the televisions in Aragon’s radio station studio where he lives are kept on TV networks as One America News Network with conservative pundit Steve Bannon often on the screen. The Journal never asked Aragon if he feels Der Führer Trump won the 2020 election and if he feels President Biden stole the election. Aragon was not asked if he loses the Mayor’s race if he will concede or if he will say it was stolen from him.

Aragon is as qualified to be Mayor of Albuquerque as much as Der Führer Trump was to be President, which is not qualified at all. Aragon would be just as big of a disaster as the Trump crazy.

Aragon with his talk show is on the same level as FOX News and the likes of Sean Hannity. Aragon enjoys badgering and taking issue with anyone who is Democrat or he considers progressive.

Aragon also says:

“I’m going to be there to listen … and make quick decisions. … I don’t believe in force. I believe in flow; we need to change the direction we’re going in.”

The only flow we get from Aragon is the sewage coming from his big mouth, like Der Führer Trump he admires so much, as he indicates he will be shooting from the hip to make quick decisions.

FINAL COMMENTARY

Eddy Aragon’s claims and promises are divisive and are meaningless. Aragon is as qualified to be Mayor of Albuquerque as much as Der Führer Trump was to be President, which is not qualified at all. As any carpenter would say applying a level to his thick wooden head that his “bubble is not centered” and it leans to the right.

Links to related and quoted news articles on Eddy Aragon are here:

Conservative radio show host takes on Dems

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433188/radio-show-host-wants-to-be-city-manager.html
“Q&A mayoral candidate Edward Joseph Aragon Jr.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433178/qa-mayoral-candidate-edward-joseph-aragon-jr.html

The link to a related blog article is here:

Der Führer Trump Radio Shock Jock Eddy Aragon Formally Declares Running For Mayor; Let’s jail grandma to reduce the homeless! And Other Crazy; A Choice Between The Lesser Of 2 Evils And 1 Crazy Trumpster Is No Choice At All

The 2021 Albuquerque Municipal election is Tuesday, November 2, 2021. On the ballot this year will be the 5 odd numbered city council districts of the 9 city council seats. The council seats up for election are City Council seats 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

In City Council District 3, which is the Southwest part of Albuquerque, incumbent City Councilor Klarissa Peña, having qualified for the ballot and for public financing, is running unopposed and is elected upon receiving one vote.

On October 5, 6, 7 and 8, the Albquerquerqu Journal published their customary candidate profiles articles written by staff reporters. The paper also published “Question and Answer” articles with the responses written by the candidates . Below are the profile articles with the dates and headlines followed by the “Question and Answer” articles with links to the articles.

OCTOBER 5: DISTICT 1 (ALBUQUERQUE’S CENTRAL WEST SIDE)

HEADLINE: “District 1 council candidates say crime is top issue”
BY RICK NATHANSON / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435302/district-1-candidates-say-crime-is-top-issue.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 1 LAN SENA
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433949/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-1-lan-sena.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 1 LOUIE SANDCHEZ
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433945/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-1-louie-sanchez.html

OCTOBER 6: DISTRICT 7 (ALBUQUERQUE’S MID-HEIGHTS INCLUDING UPTOWN AND PARTS OF THE NEAR NORTHEAST HEIGHTS)

HEADLINE: Six vying for open seat in District 7 City Council
BY OLIVIER UYTTEBROUCK / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435572/six-vying-for-open-seat-in-city-council-district-7.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 7 EMILIE DE ANGELIS
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433970/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-7-emilie-de-angelis.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 7 TAMMY FIEBELKORN
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433978/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-7-tammy-fiebelkorn.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 7 TRAVIS KELLERMAN
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433983/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-7-travis-kellerman.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 7 MAURI MONTOYA
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433996/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-7-mauro-montoya.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 7 LORI ROBERSTON
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433986/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-7-lori-robertson.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 7 ANDRES VALDEZ
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435940/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-7.html

OCTOBER 7: DISTRICT 9 (FAR SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS AND FOOTHILLS)

HEADLINE: Newcomers vie for District 9 Council seat
BY RYAN BOETEL / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435908/newcomers-vie-for-district-9-council-seat.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 9 ROB GRILLY
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433988/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-9-rob-grilley.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 9 RENEE GROUT
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433991/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-9-renee-grout.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 9 BYRON POWDRELL
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433993/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-9-byron-powdrell.html

OCTOBER 8: DISTRICT 5 NORTHWEST PART OF ALBUQUERQUE

HEADLINE: Three vie for West Side seat on Albuquerque City Council
BY JESSICA DYER / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

https://www.abqjournal.com/2436193/three-vie-for-west-side-seat-on-albuquerque-city-council.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 5 CYNTHIA BORREGGO
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433940/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-5-cynthia-borrego.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 5 DAN LEWIS
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433936/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-5-dan-lewis.html

Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 5 PHILLIP RAMIREZ
BY THE CANDIDATE

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433958/qa-albuquerque-city-council-district-5-phillip-ramirez.html

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The voting public owes a debt of gratitude to the Albuquerque Journal for publishing the articles in that such articles on city council races are few and far between and virtually none existent by the local TV stations other than perhaps announcements by the candidates.

As the saying goes, if you don’t vote, don’t complain.

Please vote on November 2.

In a July presentation, former Children, Youth and Families Secretary Brian Blalock testified before the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) saying that New Mexico is below the national average in both child abuse-related fatalities and child maltreatment. He testified that the statistics were based on state Department of Health data. Blalock also submitted a slide presentation outlining the statistics.

After his presentation, lawmakers on the committee raised concerns with LFC staff that Blalock had provided inaccurate statistics at the July hearing. It turns out that the statistics Blalock gave to the committee were seriously flawed if not outright false.

CORRECTED STATISTICS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Staff of the Legislative Finance Committee did a follow up review of the statistics. Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) Director David Abbey wrote in a report memo dated September 23 to committee lawmakers that child abuse deaths in New Mexico were in fact some of the worst in the nation. Abbey’s memo outlined 3 major factors:

1. The rate of child maltreatment fatalities in New Mexico more than doubled from 2.3 per 1,000 children in 2019 to 4.8 in 2020.

2. New Mexico has the second-highest percentage of children suffering from repeat maltreatment in the nation. In 2019, about 12% of the state’s children who were victims of maltreatment had another case of maltreatment within six months, higher than every state but New York.

3. The maltreatment rate in New Mexico stood at 16.9 per 1,000 children in 2019, sixth highest in the nation and well above the national average of 8.9.

OTHER PROBLEMS NOTED

Abbey noted that the state Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) has struggled with staff vacancies and high turnover in key leadership positions. The memo noted the Children, Youth and Families Department has an inspector general tasked with a broad range of oversight, including staff misconduct, but the Inspector General’s Office does not publicize its work, it has a 33% vacancy rate and “possesses an inherent conflict of interest” because it falls under the Cabinet secretary. The agency has a new Office of Children’s Rights, the memo said, but its first director has been dismissed.

Abbey also wrote that agency oversight needs dramatic improvement. According to the memo:

“There are numerous oversight mechanisms external to CYFD but [these] are either inadequate or provide dated information to the public. … External to CYFD at the state level, a number of oversight mechanisms exist. CYFD participates in existing child fatality review panels including the Child Fatality Review Board (CFRB) and the Maternal Mortality Review (MMR). However, reports to the public from these panels have been lacking with the CFRB not having released a report since 2015.”

On Tuesday September 23, Abby’s memo was given to an interim Courts, Correction and Justice Committee hearing during to support a recommendation to create an ombudsman position or office within CYFD.

The recommendations made by Abbey include:

1. Identify a permanent protective services director to replace an acting director — or promote the acting director to the permanent position.

2. Implement research-based hiring practices, including using information from exit surveys to identify issues affecting worker retention.

3. Continue with a pilot of “differential response” to child welfare issues — which involves assessing families, identifying needs and finding support through community services — and provide a plan for expansion.

4. Incorporate federal child maltreatment death reporting into public reporting documents to increase transparency.

5. Place a heavier focus on evidence-based prevention and early intervention resources.

Links to quoted news source materials are here:

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/data-on-child-abuse-in-question-at-new-mexico-cyfd/article_2515070a-206f-11ec-89b1-0f398885957b.html

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/data-on-child-abuse-in-new-mexico-called-into-question/6254106/?cat=500

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433899/report-nm-ranks-among-nations-worst-in-child-abuse.html

CYFD SECRETARY BRIAN BLALOCK’S TROUBLED TENURE

It was on August 10 that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the resignation of Brian Blalock as ,secretary of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. The sudden departure was the ending of Blalock’s turbulent 18-month management over the agency responsible for child welfare in New Mexico.

During a press conference announcing his resignation, Governor Lujan Grisham said she had grown concerned over a number of “administrative missteps” Blalock had made, including his policy of using the encrypted messaging app called “Signa” to conduct official state business. When the policy was revealed in April, it ignited a flurry of criticism from attorneys, child advocates and legislators on both sides of the aisle.

The 18-month tenure of Brian Blalock as Secretary of CYFD was very rocky and controversial at best. CYFD came under intense criticism for its handling of a number of deaths of children in CYFD custody. Blalock was also accused in a whistleblower lawsuit of firing and reprimanding employees who raised questions and concerns about a no-bid computer system contract. Just before Blalock’s arrival, New Mexico was also sued over a massive foster-care lawsuit brought by 14 children, alleging that CYFD was traumatizing the roughly 4,700 youth in its care.

According to the Governor, Blalock’s departure was “a mutually agreed-upon decision. However, he said his reason for leaving was to support his wife as she pursues a new job opportunity in California.” Governor Lujan Grisham replaced Blalock with former state Supreme Court Justice Barbara Vigil.

https://searchlightnm.org/cyfd-secretary-replaced-by-former-nm-supreme-court-justice/

“KIDS COUNT” DATA BOOK

It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that the Legislative Finance Committee and its staff easily picked up on the misleading and false statistics provided by former Secretary Brian Blalock in the July hearing. The statistics provided by Blalock did not make sense when compared to the information provided the month before in the annual “Kids Count Data Book”, statistics that the CYFD and the LFC staff also had. For that reason, those statistics merit review.

On June 21, the annual “Kids Count” data book prepared by the Annie E. Casey Foundation was release containing the data from 2019 the most recent statistics available. The Casey foundation is a nonprofit based in Maryland focusing on improving the well-being and future of American children and their families. State rankings by the nonprofit are based on 16 indicators that measure and track the well-being of children and their families in the domains of economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.

The links to the Kids Count Data Book is here:

https://datacenter.kidscount.org/

https://datacenter.kidscount.org/publications

EDITOR’S NOTE: Because the statistics released are for 2019, they do not reflect changes that may be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK ON 2019 STATISTICS

New Mexico’s national child well-being ranking went from 50th to 49th displacing Mississippi, and following Louisiana. New Mexico overall was worse than the U.S. average in most of the categories measured .

Following are New Mexico’s statistics gleaned from the 2021 Kid Count Data Book:

NEW MEXICO RANKING OVERALL: 49th

ECONOMIC WELL BEING FOR CHILDREN

New Mexico Ranking: 48TH

25% of New Mexico Children are living in poverty
116,000 children live in poverty
32% of New Mexico children’s have parents that lack secure employment
115,000 children’s parents lack secure employment
11% of New Mexico’s teens are not school and are not working
12,000 teens are not school and are not working

EDUCATION:

New Mexico Ranking: 50th

76% of New Mexico’s fourth graders are not proficient in reading
79% of New Mexico’s eighth graders are not proficient in reading
25% of New Mexico’s high school students do not graduate on time

HEALTH

New Mexico Ranking: 37th

9.3% low birth weights for children born in New Mexico
2,124 total children born in New Mexico with low birth weights
6% of New Mexico children are without health insurance
29,000 total New Mexico children without health insurance
36 is New Mexico’s child and teen death rates per 100,000

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

New Mexico Ranking: 48%

44% of New Mexico children live in single parent families or 195,000 children living in single parent families
14% of New Mexico children live in families where the household head lacks a high school education or 69,000 children.
24 is New Mexico’s teen birth rate per 1,000 with 1,659 births

2019 COMPARED TO 2018 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK

Comparing the 2019 data to the 2018 data, New Mexico’s numbers improved for children in Economic Well-Being” with New Mexico having fewer children living in poverty, fewer children whose parents lack secure employment and fewer teens neither in school nor working.

In the category of Education there were more 8th graders proficient in math and more high school students graduating on time in 2019 than in 2018.

In the category of Family and Community, in 2019 there were fewer children living in families where the head of household lacked a high school diploma, fewer children living in high poverty areas, and a lower teen birth rate per 1,000 births than in 2018.

In 2019, there was no improvement over 2018 in the category of Health. However New Mexico’s national ranking in Health improved from 41st to 37th.

2019, 2018, 2016 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK COMPARISONS

It was in 2018 that for the first time in five years, New Mexico had fallen to last among states in the categories of Economic, Educational and Medical well-being of its children.
According to the 2018 Kids Count Data Book, 30% of New Mexico’s children were living in poverty in 2016, compared to 19% nationwide that year. In 2019 things have improve slightly by 5% with 25% of New Mexico’s children living in poverty.

In Education the report the 2018 report said 75% of the state’s fourth-graders were not proficient in reading in 2017, compared to 65% nationally, and 80% of eighth-graders were not performing up to par in math in 2017, compared to 67% across the U.S. In 2019, New Mexico now has hit rock bottom ranking 50th in the country for Education.

The most troubling in the 2018 Kids Count Data Book was New Mexico’s steep drop in ranking for health care measures. In 2019, things have improved in the Health category with New Mexico ranking 37th .

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/report-new-mexico-ranks-last-in-child-well-being/article_0f6865fc-d34a-5050-9f74-21680e98a2a5.html

STAGGERING WINFALL MEANS FUNDING AVAILABLE

On Friday, August 28, during a Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) held in Taos, it was revealed that the State is experiencing an all-time high windfall of more than nearly $1 billion higher than what was projected in February of this year. The estimates released to the legislative committee by executive and legislative economists project that New Mexico will have nearly $1.4 billion in additional money in the coming year. The $1.4 Billion is the difference between expected revenue and the state’s current $7.4 billion budget. The cause of the windfall is surging oil and natural gas production and a rise in consumer spending.

The projected revenue total does not include more than $1.5 billion that will automatically flow into a state “rainy day” fund and an early childhood endowment fund over the next two years. It also does not include the $1.75 billion in federal relief funds that have only been partially earmarked by the Lujan Grisham administration.

According to a report to the Legislative Finance Committee:

“Revenues are up $851.3 million from the February 2021 estimate, due primarily to higher-than-expected gross receipts tax and income tax collections that accompanied increased consumer spending and growth in high- and mid-wage employment in the first half of 2021. … Additionally, strong recovery in the oil and gas markets are pushing severance tax and federal royalty collections well above their five-year averages, resulting in large transfers to the newly created early childhood trust fund.”

The incredible amounts of new money in the billions can be summarized as follows:

–$1.4 billion forecast to come in over the state’s current $7.4 billion General Fund budget.

–$1.5 billion forecast to go into the state’s revenue stabilization and early childhood education funds in the next two years.

–$1.75 billion in federal Covid relief money.

–The state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund, which benefits from the energy bull market as well as the stock market, now stands at a stunning $24 billion.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The rankings and financial numbers are depressing and staggering:

The rate of child maltreatment fatalities in New Mexico more than doubled from 2.3 per 1,000 children in 2019 to 4.8 in 2020.

New Mexico has the second-highest percentage of children suffering from repeat maltreatment in the nation. In 2019, about 12% of the state’s children who were victims of maltreatment had another case of maltreatment within six months, higher than every state but New York.

The maltreatment rate in New Mexico stood at 16.9 per 1,000 children in 2019, sixth highest in the nation and well above the national average of 8.9.

New Mexico ranks 50th in education. Despite the millions being spent each year on the state’s public education system, 76% of all New Mexico’s fourth graders are not proficient in reading and 79% of all eighth graders and not proficient in reading. For our native American population it’s even worse with 82.4% were not proficient in reading and their 89% are not proficient in math.

25% of New Mexico’s children are living in poverty, with New Mexico ranking 48th in Economic Well Being.

Child and teen death rates have skyrocketed reflecting 36 deaths per 100,000 in 2019 as opposed to 28 in 2013.

The number of low birthweight babies has increased slightly from 8.9% in 2013 to 9.3% in 2019.

The number of teens who still are not working and not in school has also increase slightly going from 10% in 2013 to 11% in 2019.

CONCLUSION

Albuquerque and New Mexico, and all of its leaders, have a moral obligation to do something to address poverty, children living in poverty and to protect our most venerable population, its children. Instead of wringing of the hands and lamenting the plight of our children, the Governor and the Legislature now have a unique opportunity to do something. With the windfall projected in State revenues in the billions of dollars, the state’s leaders need to act aggressively to protect our children’s health and well being.

The link to a related blog article is here:

“Kids Count” Data Book: New Mexico Still At The Bottom With Our Kids As State Ranks 49th Overall, 50th In Education And 48th In Economic Well Being

The City of Albuquerque municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2. On the ballot will be the office for Mayor, the 5 odd numbered City Council Districts 1,3,5,7, and 9 seats and a voter bond approval request for $50 million dollars to build a soccer stadium as well as the offices of school board members. The 3 candidates for Mayor are Progressive Democrat incumbent Mayor Tim Keller and Conservative Democrat Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales and Trump Republican Radio Talk Show Host Eddy Aragon. If no candidate secures 50% plus one of the vote, a run off will be held between the two top vote getters.

On October 5, the on-line news agency “The Paper” published a report on an opinion poll it commissioned with Public Policy Polling (PPP) . The poll was then reported upon by KOAT-TV.

The Paper has become the replacement for the “Weekly Alibi”, a decisively progressive leaning weekly publication which was sold a few years ago. One the principal owners and publishers of “The Paper” is self-proclaimed progressive Democrat Albquerquerqu City Councilor Pat Davis. Public Policy Polling (PPP) is a Democratic polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. According to its web site, it “provides a highly accurate alternative to expensive traditional telephone surveys at a low cost with reliable accuracy.”

https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/

The link to the news reports are here:

The Paper:

https://abq.news/2021/10/exclusive-poll-mayor-keller-hasnt-convinced-enough-voters-to-win-again-yet/

EDITOR’S NOTE: The link to The Paper, where you can subscribe and donate to it is here:

https://abq.news/

https://www.koat.com/article/new-albuquerque-mayoral-poll-released-shows-keller-as-front-runner/37875775

PPP POLL RESULTS

The public opinion poll was of 793 likely voters with a margin of error 3.5%, plus or minus. The results of the PPP poll as reported by the Paper and KOAT TV are as follows:

Tim Keller: 47%,
Manny Gonzales: 21%,
Eddy Aragon: 11%
NOT SURE: 21%,”

The 3 major take aways from the raw percentage numbers are:

1. Mayor Keller needs to convince 3%, plus one, of the 21% not sure voters to avoid a runoff with 50%.

2. 34% of likely Albuquerque voters will not be voting for Keller and voting for Gonzales and Aragon combined.

3. The 21% “not sure” is somewhat high given the fact that the election is less than a month away. In other words, those who want someone else still can not figure out who else they want.

OTHER REVEALING POLL NUMBERS

Editing out the political commentary and analysis from the Paper report, the following information is quoted as gleaned from the report about the PPP poll:

“After a turbulent year under a pandemic and with violent crime reaching all-time highs, almost 1/3 of Keller’s 2017 voters aren’t ready to vote for him again. Almost 20% of respondents who say they voted for the mayor four years ago now have an unfavorable opinion of him and another 12% say they still don’t know.” …

Across the board, poll respondents indicated they did not know who [radio talk show host Eddy Aragon] is, to the tune of 63%. … [Aragon] as the lone registered Republican in the race does, however, pull votes away from the race’s other conservative, Democrat Sheriff Manny Gonzales. Some 27% of voters say they would vote for Gonzales in a runoff election after voting for Aragon in the first election.
…
[According to the poll] just 24% of voters see the sheriff favorably. … [The poll found that Gonzales is] unpopular with Hispanic voters [with] almost half, 45%, having an unfavorable opinion of Gonzales.
…
[According to the poll], Trump voters aren’t excited about Manny [ with the poll finding] 1 in 5 voters who said they voted for Trump over Biden say they have an unfavorable opinion of the sheriff. …

Tim Keller has majority support among women, both younger voters and older voters, Hispanic voters, and among Democrats or those who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Although his overall favorability is in the red, 21% of likely voters are still undecided. That includes those 12% of his previous supporters who are still persuadable.”

https://abq.news/2021/10/exclusive-poll-mayor-keller-hasnt-convinced-enough-voters-to-win-again-yet/

OTHER POLLING NUMBERS

Confidential sources are saying that a poll that has been taken and not been released to the public is circulating showing that Tim Keller has already broken the 50% barrier with Gonzales and Aragon trailing by significand numbers. There are no details as to how many were polled, when the poll was taken, how it was taken nor of the margin of error.

Notwithstanding, on September 12, 2020, the Albuquerque Journal published a poll it commissioned that showed nearly three years into his first term as Albuquerque’s mayor, Tim Keller had nearly the same high level of support that he had less than one year after he took office. Among likely city voters, 60% approve of Keller’s performance, 22% disapproved of his performance and 19% had mixed feeling or did not know. That is close to the results of a 2018 Journal Poll that found Keller had a 61% approval rating after his first nine months in office, when many officeholders still experience “honeymoon” ratings. A link to the Journal article is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/1495901/mayor-keller-maintains-his-high-approval-rating.html

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Four weeks in a political campaign with a low voter turnout, which is expected, is an eternity in politics and anything can happen. Keller is sitting on $524,709 in funding and he has already begun unleashing a relentless media ad campaign spending the lion’s share of that on TV.

The fact that Sheriff Gonzales is unpopular with Hispanic voters with almost half, or 45%, having an unfavorable opinion of him is a major setback to his candidacy. His unpopularity with Hispanic voters can likely be attributed to a number of issues including being viewed as a Democrat in Name Only (DINO) after his support of former President Trump, his opposition to lapel cameras, his opposition to the Governor’s health care orders regarding COVID, his failure to work other elected officials including the County Commission and the the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office.

Unless Gonzales and Aragon can raise upwards of $300,000 each for a reasonable TV buy, it’s likely the Tim Keller will be elected to a second 4-year term on November 2, unless there is an October surprise that changes the outcome of the election and forces a runoff.

POSTSCRIPT

LINKS TO JOURNAL PROFILES

The Albuquerque Journal has published front-page Mayor candidate profiles and candidate “Question and Answer” articles on THE 3 candidates. Below are the links s in the order which they were published:

EDDY ARAGON

Conservative radio show host takes on Dems

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433188/radio-show-host-wants-to-be-city-manager.html

“Q&A mayoral candidate Edward Joseph Aragon Jr.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433178/qa-mayoral-candidate-edward-joseph-aragon-jr.html

SHERIFF MANNY GONZALES

Gonzales vows to run Albuquerque in bipartisan fashion

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433475/gonzales-seeking-to-run-albuquerque-in-bipartisan-fashion.html

Q&A mayoral candidate Manuel Gonzales III

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433186/qa-mayoral-candidate-manuel-gonzales-iii.html

MAYOR TIM KELLER

‘I’ve learned’: Keller touts real-world experience

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433925/keller-highlighting-experience-as-he-seeks-second-term.html

Q&A mayoral candidate Tim Keller

https://www.abqjournal.com/2433190/qa-mayoral-candidate-tim-keller-2.html

On September 7, the new Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACSD) dispatched 3 two person teams of civilians trained as behavioral health responders to commence handling certain 911 calls in order to reduce the number of calls for service handled by Albuquerque police.

The links to full reports are here:

https://www.koat.com/article/new-albuquerque-city-department-to-take-over-mental-or-behavioral-health-calls-from-police/37263760

https://www.abqjournal.com/2428380/abqs-community-safety-department-launches-patrols.html

The ACSD was proposed in 2020 by the Keller Administration as an option to replace APD sworn police with civilian social workers and trained mental health experts to respond to 911 calls involving the homeless, the mentally ill and drug addictions. The ultimate goal is to reduce the staggering number of 911 emergency calls to those who may be having psychotic episodes and to utilized de-escalation tactics and avoid use of force and deadly force.

On October 5, it was reported by city spokesman Joshua Reeves that the September 7 dispatch of 3 two person teams of civilians was considered a “soft launch’ to test the process that will ultimately be implemented. According to Reeves, as of October 5, there are 5 behavioral health responders that are responding to upwards of 8 calls a day and that 150 have been taken in the first month of operation. Another 22 responders, including supervisors and outreach team members, are in the hiring and training process. The final goal, he said, is to have 54 personnel responding to calls. Reeves also said the city hired 4 mobile crisis team clinicians and one supervisor as ACS employees and they have been assisting officers on calls since March.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2435272/keller-says-his-initiatives-fight-crime-in-a-real-way.html

HOW IT WILL WORK

When someone calls 911, dispatch operators will ask the caller a number of questions. If the incident involves homelessness, inebriation, addiction or mental health, then a two-person team from ACS will handle the call. The 911 emergency dispatch system will route calls to the 3 two person teams of civilians trained as behavioral health responders when there are disturbances, issues involving mental health or homelessness, suicides, welfare checks and other lower-level calls.

The ACS responders will have backgrounds as social workers, clinicians, counselors or similar fields. Training occurred in early August. The training for responders included anti-racism, implicit bias, strength based interventions and crisis interventions de-escalation techniques. ACS is looking to have 60 people on staff with applications are being sought for the positions. Salary ranges are from $50,000 t0 $75,000 a year.

Once the department is fully staffed and up and running, it is projected to respond to upwards of 3,000 emergency nonmedical, nonviolent calls a month. In fiscal year 2020, APD received 524,286 calls for service or upwards of 40,000 calls for service a month. The goal is to free up Albuquerque police officers to answer calls for more serious offenses quicker and permit cops to focus on core police work and community policing reform efforts. The program will operate 24/7 once fully staffed. The goal is to fully staff the department by the end of the year or earlier with upwards of 100 more trained behavioral health responders.

Mariela Ruiz-Angel, the new department director appointed in April, had this to say:

“[This is a] third branch to public safety. When a police or firefighter is not an appropriate response, we’ll be able to send someone from ACS who has a background behavioral health, social work and counseling. … 911 gets so many calls, and we just don’t have enough cops. … [The ACSD] can take the low priority calls that would take police three to four hours to get to. … … Our hope is that we can create the preventative pieces that we can hopefully divert people from going into jail, and instead going into the system that they probably need to which is mental health. … This is about relieving the public safety system so that officers can really concentrate on fighting crime”

MANAGEMENT TEAM ANNOUNCED

It was on April 27, Mayor Tim Keller announced the appointment 3 top managers for the newly created “Community Safety Department” (ACS). ACS will include trained social workers, housing and homelessness specialists, violence prevention and diversion program experts. The department once fully implemented will give 9-1-1 dispatch an option when a community safety response is more appropriate than a paramedic, firefighter or armed police officer. The goal of the ACS is to bolster and expand investments in violence intervention, diversion programs and treatment initiatives.

Following are the 3 appointments announced:

Mariela Ruiz-Angel, Director of Albuquerque Community Safety. Prior to her appointment as Director of ACS, Ruiz-Angel was the City Coordinator for the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA)

Jasmine Desiderio, Deputy Director of Policy and Administration. Mr. Desiderio previously served as the Project Director of a Native American Youth Suicide Prevention program, where her roles included strategic action planning, policymaking, program development and evaluation, community outreach and engagement, data surveillance, grant administration and training facilitation.

D’Albert Hall, Deputy Director of Field Response. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Hall was employed as a Family Service Specialist and Child Development Specialist for Clark County Department of Family Services.

https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/news/mayor-keller-announces-top-leadership-team-for-innovative-new-albuquerque-community-safety-department?fbclid=IwAR2r3goYDBk_nrDwkK6jkAKW9JQga6YqJ-_HSgIKCMpt0OWKSyyAjNzd33s

SEVERLY PAIRED DOWN NEW DEPARTMENT

It was on Monday, June 15, 2020 Mayor Tim Keller announced plans to create a new Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS). It was proposed in part as a response to police shootings happening throughout the country, especially after the killing of African American George Floyd. Keller proclaimed it was the “first of its kind” department in the country. Keller received national news coverage on the concept, including the in the Washington Post. It turns out the only “first of its kind” aspect was a department. Using social workers to take call for service instead of cops has been going on for years in other major cities.

The new department as originally announced was to have 192 positions with 32 people for each of the 6 area commands, staffed around the clock, to respond to tens of thousands of calls for service a year. The estimated annual cost of the new department was $10,201,170. The ACS as Keller originally presented to the public was to have social workers, housing and homelessness specialists and violence prevention and diversion program experts.

They were to be dispatched to homelessness and “down-and-out” calls as well as behavioral health crisis calls for service to APD. The new department was to connect people in need with services to help address any underlying issues. The intent is to free up the first responders, either police or firefighters, who typically have to deal with down-and-out and behavioral health calls.

On Thursday, September 3, Mayor Tim Keller released his proposed budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The new city department was pared down significantly to $7.5 million in personnel, equipment and contractual services. Not a single licensed mental health professional, social worker, councilor, housing and homelessness specialists and violence prevention and diversion program experts were included.

Keller cut the new ACS Department from the originally suggested 192 positions to 100 employees with 60 positions taken from other city departments. The 100 employees included 40 transit security officers, 13 security staffers from the Municipal Development Department, 9 parking enforcement workers, 6 crossing guard supervisors and one from the city’s syringe cleanup program.

On October 15, the proposed Keller budget for the new department was slashed to the bone from $7.5 million to $2.5 million for fiscal year 2021. The City Council removed virtually all of the positions originally proposed by Keller. Cut from Keller’s proposed budget for the new department were 83 employees and a $7.5 million cost. The staffing cut include 53 security personnel, 9 parking enforcement employees and 6 people from the city’s crossing guard program.

During last year’s budget process, the Albuquerque City Council severely parred down the proposed new department. The new department as originally proposed by Keller was to have 192 employees, Keller cut it to 100 positions and then the City Council gutted it to 13 positions. The projected budget went from $10.9 Million as originally proposed by Keller then it was reduced to $7.5 Million, the City Council then slashed the budget further to $2.5 Million.

The 2022 proposed city budget provides for a Community Safety budget of $7.7 million with 61 total employees across a range of specialties in social work and counseling to provide behavioral health services.

APD ADDS PRIORITY CALL CLASSIFICATIONS

For decades APD had a 3 priority 911 dispatch system. On March 7, 2019, APD announced a major change in the way it was dispatching police officers to 911 calls and expanded priority the list from 3 to 5 categories. Call priorities on the scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest or most important type of call. A major goal of the 5-priority call system is to determine what calls do and do not require a police officer. The goal was to reduce the number of 911emergency calls for service responded to by APD sworn police.

Following are the priority call definitions:

PRIORITY 1: Any immediate life-threatening situation with a great possibility of death or life-threatening injury or any confrontation between people which could threaten the life or safety of any person where weapons are involved. Priority 1 calls include: Shootings, stabbings, Sexual Assaults, Assaults with weapons (Aggravated Assaults), Burglary in Progress)

PRIORITY 2: Any crime in progress which may result in a threat of injury to a person, major loss of property or immediate apprehension of a subject. This also involves accidents with injuries. Priority 2 Calls include any armed robbery, vehicle accidents with injuries, none injury accidents, child left in vehicle.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Priority 1 and 2 calls are the most urgent calls where police units use lights and sirens and travel at high speed.

PRIORITY 3: Minor incidents in progress or just occurred with no threat of personal injury, major loss of life or property. Priority 3 calls are shop lifting, noise complaints, large loud party complaints, and animals left in cars.

PRIORITY 4: Minor incidents with no threat of personal injury, loss of life or property. Delayed reports when the caller is at a public location. Priority 4 calls are nuisance incidents and burglary alarms.

PRIORITY 5: A crime has already occurred, no suspect at or near the scene, and no threat of personal injury, loss of life or property. Delayed responses are where the caller is at home or at their work place for an extended period of time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: With Priority 3, 4 and 5 calls, callers are encouraged to file on line reports with APD not always dispatched where it is determined none are needed.

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/city-changes-the-way-apd-officers-are-dispatched-to-calls/

http://isr.unm.edu/reports/2009/analyzing-calls-for-service-to-the-albuquerque-police-department..pdf

From review of the 5 types of priority calls, it is more likely than not the types of calls the new civilian teams will likely fall into are the category of Priority 3, 4, 5.
Review of the number of calls for service over the last 7 years reveals that the new teams will likely have a very daunting task, even if they are dispatched to a small fraction or the calls.

For the Fiscal Years of F/Y 14 to F/Y 20 the total number of 911 calls for service were:

FY/14 # of Calls for service: 518,553
FY/15 # of Calls for service: 518,751
FY/16 # of Calls for service: 547,854
FY/17 # of Calls for service: 564,610
FY/18 # of Calls for service: 580,303
FY/19 # of Calls for service: 543,574
FY/20 # of Calls for service: 524,286

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The new Community Safety Department is the 5TH major initiatives Mayor Tim Keller has implemented in the last two years in an attempt to bring down the city’s high violent crime rates as he promised to do in 2017 when he ran for Mayor.

Without more licensed health care professionals, the new department runs the risk of being relegated to be a “pickup, delivery or referral” of people in crisis to take them either to jail or to a hospital. In order to be successful, the new department needs to deal with the city’s long-term behavioral health system needs and programs that are desperately needed now and in the future.

The Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) is a department that is a proposed solution to reduce APD’s calls for service involving mental health calls and to transfer such calls to another civilian department with mental health experts to deal with those in crisis. It is a department that must be equipped to respond to 911 calls related to addiction problems and behavioral health issues or it will fail and fail miserably and may even result in a social worker getting killed.

Every effort needs to be made to ensure that the ACS teams are dispatch to only Priority 3, 4, 5 calls in order to reduce the likelihood of being exposed to dealing with armed and dangerous felons.

The link to a related blog article is here:

Severely Pared Down “Community Safety Department” Launched; “Ambassador Program” Launched; Hope Springs Eternal Both Will Succeed