Up North

Lately

Did you happen to notice how slow off the line some of our elected officials were in regards to APD's shooting sprees?  First Mayor Berry and the city council are silent.  Then, as even the Albuquerque Journal expresses frustration with good hard journalism, they all break into a frenzy of news releases.  The latest to join was Attorney General Gary King.  As the state's chief law enforcement officer he should have been the first person out of the blocks as the body count started ratcheting up in the Duke City.  But not until after the US Justice Department announces it is all in, does King decide after years of sitting on the sidelines to get involved.

It is frustrating to see an honest and well meaning guy like Gary King be such a laggard.  Of course his style is one of being laid back.   That doesn't work for a leader.  If you think it does then just look at the pickle that Mayor Berry finds himself in.

Speaking of difficult predicaments, how is it that no one has been demoted for letting this get out of hand?  Should  CAO Rob Perry's big pay raise be rescinded due to his not being in control of the cop shop?  Or is no one in a position of responsibility going to see any discipline?

Democracy

Democracy might be dead in this country following the Supreme Court's decision to let the rich run the country.  Of course, they pretty much have always done that but now the corporate boys have managed to jigger the system into their total control via unlimited campaign donations.   Certainly, most Americans are not paying attention or there would have been riots in the streets last night.

The only way out of this situation is through a successful constitutional amendment that limits campaign donations.  Or a revolution.  I opt for the amendment....but the revolution is a good fallback.

Misc.

When will the other shoe drop?  Who knows?  I am referring to the cause of death of the suspect who allegedly shot the K-9 police dog in a parking lot.  The suspect is dead.  The cause of death is still not made public by anyone.  How long will the media be obstructed in finding out what really happened in this case?  And, will anyone find out where the Mayor was for eight days during the great APD meltdown?  If it truly is a highly personal health related issue, or just a family vacation, shouldn't they just say so and provide a little explanation?

I have to say that the Albuquerque Journal reporters have done an excellent job of covering the APD story.  The work has been like that old time journalism that we used to enjoy out of that publication.  Even the editor has let them do their work.  As for the TV stations, they have risen to the occasion too.  There is nothing better that police in riot gear to get their blood up.  But, don't look for any heavy and meaningful followups from them.  Just lots of reruns of tear gas clouds.

Here are a couple of photos from my days as a riot chaser while at Channel 7 during the student unrest over the Viet Nam War in the early 70's.  I am the photographer behind the flower child.  I believe the photo was taken by onetime APD offer Mark Bralley.

Our cameras were larger in those days.  16mm sound on film cameras with heavy batteries.

Who Let the Macho Out?

Every Mayor has advisers.  They might be official ones, or friends, or family.  Some are experienced in government.  Others have no experience at all and they all render their opinions from what they think is best for the Mayor and City. (Well, and maybe themselves.)

Right now Mayor Berry is up to his neck in real world problems.  The region's economy, of which the city is the driver, is in the crapper.  And now he is getting national attention in the media for the problems in the Police Department.

In the last few days he has received advice that he acted on that was probably not the best thing in the interest of the city.  Why did he needlessly deploy the dressed up riot police?  Certainly he gave the crowd a reason to escalate.  Could not the police have been held out of sight until something really called for their presence.  In fairness, maybe something was occurring that we don't know about.  But probably what happened was he listened to bad advice from someone who wanted to let the 'macho' out.  Berry probably should have thought a little harder and sought out someone's advice other than the incompetent police chief he hired at the behest of the republican Governor and her neocon advisers.  That chief has never led a police force before and it is showing.

Berry is wanting to do the right thing at this juncture of events.  But he needs to call on some experienced folks from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, or some such organization, to come in and help sift through the advice he is being given.  It couldn't hurt.

And it couldn't hurt if the protestors were a little more organized too.  They were not in control of their own demonstration.  They could use a little advice too.

Double Standard

Okay, everyone made a big deal about the idiot who showed up at the APD protest carrying an assault  rifle.   Yes, he is an idiot.  I am betting the conservative wackos see this one guy as representing all of the protestors.  Certainly, it gave the over his head Police Chief some grist for the mill. But there are guns stores in this town that specialize in selling assault rifles and no one says a thing.  There are paranoids in the movie theater sitting next to  your kids packing a Glock.  No one says a thing.  I was eating at a golf course grill the other day and one of the diners had a pistol packed in his waistband.  I finished my huevos quickly and left before someone was offed for sandbagging.

Life is to short.

In the Streets

I can't remember the last time that citizens took to the streets in Albuquerque to vent against the state of things.  It many ways it was refreshing to see people motivated enough to come out yesterday to smell the tear gas.  But as one of my readers Dan Klein said, there is more to this.  Here is the retired police officer's essay.  I don't agree with all of it, but it is very thought provoking.

                        The media and public are demanding for someone to "fix" APD.  Well if we want a real fix to the issues at APD we need to look deeper at our community as a whole.  As a retired APD officer with a background in Criminal Justice I hope this article will get our community and police department back on solid ground.

                        The problems at APD are best described as a four-legged stool.  The first leg is the well documented mismanagement of APD over the last ten years.  This period of time has seen millions in judgments against APD, scandals and no one in authority holding the Chief and others in Command Positions accountable.  So the first leg is a mismanaged police department.

                        The second leg in this mess belongs entirely to the community and our elected leaders.  This leg has to do with making it illegal to be poor, homeless and mentally ill in our community.  A good example of this is the Albuquerque City Council who have made it against the law for anyone to park their car with the purpose of living out of it.  I doubt this law was written to impact anyone living in Tanoan.  This law is specific to the poor, homeless and mentally ill.  Council Benton wants APD to enforce this law.  Thank goodness APD has so far refused.  But the Boyd shooting was a direct response to a homeless person living in a camp in the Foothills.  I guess it is easier if the homeless live in other places, not where we can see them.  Since when did it become illegal to be poor?  Benton and others make being poor illegal because they don't want to deal with them.  The make a law, send the police and then express shame, sadness, surprise and outrage that the officers end up in a confrontation with these people.  Well the shame belongs to us and our elected leaders.  Being poor shouldn't be against the law.  We only set our police up for failure when we create and demand enforcement of such ludicrous laws.

                        The third leg is our economy and lack of mental health and homeless support.  The media has already reported on how bad our economy has been.  In this horrible economy the only engine running is usually alcohol and drugs.  New Mexico is last in the nation in Child Welfare.  It seems our business community and government officials have no idea how to get our economic engine running again.  Add to this Governor Martinez temporarily shutting down mental health providers last year, leaving thousands of mentally ill New Mexicans with no place to turn.  She should have thought this through and had a back up plan to support these people.  Instead the mental health providers were shut down and the police were left to deal with them and their crisis.  No help for children, no help for our economy and no help for the mentally ill.

                        The fourth leg of this broken stool is known as "community based policing".  Everyone loves this phrase yet know one knows what it means, how to do it and what the implications might be.  In Albuquerque it was decided that APD would the the "go to" people for all problems with the community.  This sounds nice but this should never have been the mission of APD.  By having APD become the go to people, officers are tasked with dozens of problems that they should not be dealing with.  From overgrown weeds in yards, to homeless people living in campgrounds or cars, to substandard buildings the list goes on and on.  And once again we all act shocked when police officers deal with these issues and then it goes terribly wrong.  The community needs to decide, what do you want the mission of APD to be?  Then don't deviate from this mission.  Right now APD is a jack of all trades and as we have seen a master of none.

                        This isn't written to make anyone feel bad.  I am writing this because I see an opportunity for Albuquerque to right the ship and lead the nation into the next century of policing.  We can do this by first giving APD a narrow, clearly defined mission.  By electing city and county officials who will hold all levels of APD accountable, and the community holding these elected officials accountable when they vacate their responsibility.  By not enacting laws that are discriminatory, such as against poor, homeless and mentally ill people.  By creating programs within the government and community to help these people in need, not punish them.  These programs should be run and managed by city departments that do not answer to APD and do not use APD personnel.  These programs need to be run by the experts in social work, mental health and child welfare.  They should only call in APD when a crime has or is about to occur.  The governor and legislature should come in special session to address our economy, child welfare, homeless and mentally ill.  They need to create public sector departments who partner with the private sector, to fix these issues.  Lastly, the City of Albuquerque needs to embrace the entire community, including APD, and ask "What do you want your police department's mission to be?"

                        Dan Klein

Weekend Questions

How much money did the Archdiocese of Santa Fe pay for purchase and renovation of a tax free residence with a view for the retiring archbishop?

How did the suspect who allegedly shot a police dog die after that confrontation?

Where was Mayor Berry over the last week during the firestorm on the police department shootings?

Conspiracy Theorists Awaken

This is an interesting view of weather radar from New Mexico on St. Patrick's Day this year.  Any guesses as to what caused it?

Where was Berry?

Where was Mayor Berry during the week that was?  First he was said to be traveling in Brazil on a trade mission.  Then he was said to be in Phoenix, except no word about that actually being true or accurate from the Mayor.  In fairness,  he was said to have a medical procedure and that could explain a secretive absence.  But, it is a close call on whether a Mayor's health issue is a public concern.  Because of the current chaos he really needs to let people know.

And, I am still waiting for a report on how that other suspect died last week after allegedly shooting the police dog.  If he wasn't shot to death by police, how did he die?  By his own hand?  Or by the police?

Leaderless Response

Just like the so called 'Occupy' movement that went no where, so will this group 'Anonymous' who have threatened cyber warfare against the Albuquerque Police Department.  These idiots are managing to take attention off the police department and put it on themselves.  And all they will do is take taxpayer resources away to protect computer files and systems instead of fixing our broken and shattered public safety program in the Duke City.

The 'Occupy' movement did nothing more that set  up overnight campsites.  No leaders came forth to make that well intentioned mob into a real political force.  The same can be said for "Anonymous' because we don't even know who they are.  Maybe 16 year old computer nerds in the Balkans?  Who knows?

And now all political candidates are following the public outcry.  They are condemning the APD shootings a week or two late after taking their toes out of the water.  Some leadership!  Attorney General Gary King says his department will investigate the shootings.  Where has he been over the last two years?

Another Video

Another video shows APD officers shooting a man last night on his front porch. He died this morning.  It appeared he was talking on a cell phone.  And in an editorial today the Albuquerque Journal seems to be protecting the Mayor by saying he has acted properly in calling for more investigation of the department.  No matter that he was on a spring break during the chaos following last weeks killing, and not on a trade mission to South America.  So, who ever said he was overseas was lying or incompetent.  Well, better late than never, but it is pretty late.

I have been talking with friends who know the work of the new police chief that Berry hired at the suggestion of the Martinez administration in Santa Fe.  He was one of her cabinet officers.  They say he is nothing more than an accomplished bureaucrat and not ready for primetime in a major metropolitan police department leadership role.  Most think he has no business there.

Mayor Berry should just admit it and ask him to go.  Then go out and find someone who can fix this department.  And finally again, how about the guy who allegedly shot the police dog?  He is dead but no one has explained how he died.  

A Home on the Oxbow

This is a must read article from Chuck Wellborn on the goings on in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and their treatment of the parishioners at the Aquinas Newman Center at UNM.

And he  has let the cat out of the bag on the purchase and renovation of a new home on Alamogordo NW for Archbishop Sheehan's retirement home.  This is the second home on that west side street with a view that the Archdiocese owns.  In fact, I did a little search that shows there are over 130 properties listed as owned by the Archdiocese on the tax rolls.  Except they pay no taxes on them.  Oh that we all could have a retirement home without property tax.

I know folks who have dedicated a good part of their lives to the church.  At retirement they have little to show for their acts of selflessness.  But as anywhere, rank has its privileges.

Misc.

We have heard the police dog is recovering from another incident in which a suspect died last week after being pursued by APD.  We know the dog was shot but APD still isn't saying how the suspect died.  They just said he wasn't shot.  Will someone remember to ask that question until it is answered?

The march from the Alvarado Transportation Center  to City Hall is still scheduled tonight to protest APD's continued violent solutions to confrontations.  I hope there is a very large turn out.  If there isn't, then time will cover up this killing in the foothills.  Somewhat like the Mayor, new political Police Chief, and city council now belatedly covering themselves from the outcry of the citizens.

On another issue, if I were an employee of Channel 13 I would be very worried that the sale of their TV stations is being closed.  The company buying them is reportedly paying a 68% premium over stock value to their current owners.  That means lots of cost savings in the future.  Anyone with a salary above a certain level will be fired and replaced with someone willing to work for poverty level wages.  And the real danger is that the new owners own so many media outlets and are just getting bigger and bigger.  Corporate controlled journalism is growing.

This sale shouldn't be allowed to happen.  The FCC should deny the transfer of these licenses.

Changing a Tune

In 2011 the City Council wanted the Mayor to call in the Justice Department to look at the Police Department.  He vetoed their bill.  See this to see the veto message.

And who will ask the hard questions of the Mayor, his APD Chief, and his CAO.  Certainly not the local TV station reporters who looked like kiddie show hosts in their interviews.

As one of my commenters said, "Just saw Berry's interviews on Channel 13 and Channel 4 and very pathetic, not just for him, but for the stations and its reporters. Berry look uncomfortable, his eyes puffy and his voice cracked in one interview. No hard questions at all by the reporters. No questions as to how much he,Perry and Eden were in the know last week nor why top APD management did not have better control of the situation. No questions asked if he intends to discipline or hold Eden accountable for his quick judgment that the shooting was justified or if he regrets appointing Eden. No questions on Perry's role. No questions as to where was Berry all week. Berry referring the case to Justice is a joke seeing that it no doubt will be looking at the case anyway."

Out of the Bunker

The Mayor held one on one sessions today with reporters on the killing of that mentally ill man in the foothills by APD.  He seems to be afraid of  reporters in packs….not just up to it and wants to be in control I guess.  And of course the journalists go right along in being controlled.

But after a week of silence he has agreed that the shooting was 'unsettling.'  He has asked the Justice Department to look into it.

My guess is that his week of silence has backfired on him.  His advisors really screwed this one up and his own inclinations, if he had any, will just be invisible to us.  I can tell you that he is in a world of stress right now.  He is taking it on the chin while most of the city council hides in the bushes.

None of them are going to see this issue die out very soon.

Send a Message Correction

The public is getting angry, all the way around, in Albuquerque.  Hopefully, a public protest in downtown Albuquerque at 6pm Tuesday(correction from earlier post)  evening might get the Mayor and City Council out of their bunkers to talk about the murder of the homeless and mentally disturbed man by police.  The Mayor hasn't uttered a peep in over a week.  It shows a lack of responsibility, but then again maybe he is afraid of our assault rifle toting cops.  Hell, they even have armored cars these days.  A military unit rather than a community police and service force.

The protest will start a 6pm at the Alvarado Transportation Center at 1st and Central and then move to the Civic Plaza.

Unavailable

In a followup story in the Journal this morning only one city elected official had any comments on the murder of the homeless man in the foothills by APD.  Councillor Isaac Benton said he was concerned  after seeing the video and questioned the new police chief's defense of the shooting.

Meanwhile, the public has chimed in and they are not happy.  Soon, other elected officials will follow those comments with ones of their own.  Showing they are followers and not leaders.

And the Mayor, all the Journal could say was that he was out of town and not available for comment. Apparently he doesn't know how to use email or cell phones. 

Come on Down

The Price is High.  Come on down.  That should be yelled to the Mayor Berry and Albuquerque City Council in the wake of the execution of a mentally ill man by APD in the foot hills of Albuquerque.  These city political leaders are absent from duty in fixing this police department.  They are probably being wary of warnings from the city attorney and CAO Rob Perry that anything they say could cost the taxpayers a bundle.  But that has been happening anyway.  But, the time has come for the councillors to start screaming bloody murder.  Because that is what happened to this homeless man.

So, what would I do if I were Mayor.  First off, this would not be happening because it I would never have let it go so far for so long.  I did not fear APD and was willing to tell then Chief Jerry Galvin that changes were needed.  The rank and file didn't care for me much and police officers would not even shake my hand for going against their wishes.  But the changes got made.  Then under my successor everything went back to the way it was.  The hiring binge to meet campaign promises brought in less than desirable recruits.  And here we are.

If I needed to deal with this current department I would ask the Department of Justice to come in and over see the operation of the department along with professional police associations.  They would have full authority to change anything that needed it.  Training, ongoing testing, and weeding out of trigger happy cops would all be part of the program.

The new police chief for the city said the shooting by assault rifles was justified.  Look at the video and see if you agree.  In fairness to this new chief he was presented with an unwinnable situation.  After coming in from outside the department he is faced with distrust by the rank and file.  I wonder what would have happened if he had said, 'this is troubling and we need to look into it.'  I know I would have felt better about him.

I write this about 9am this morning.  I can only assume that some leaders will come forth with some meaningful statements that promise change.

And compliments to the Albuquerque Journal for a great front page story today.  Like the professional journalists they should be.

Disgraceful

The shooting of that camper by APD officers in the foothills of Albuquerque is disgraceful.  The video shows a deranged man surround by cops with assault rifles, shotguns, dogs and pistols.  He had no where to go.  He had two knives in his hand and was turning away when he was shot.  Then, they kept shooting bean bag rounds at him.   This video will put APD in the state of disgrace for a long time.  .  The Mayor needs to step up and take action.  None of us can trust these trigger happy cops.  You will be seeing this video everywhere soon.  No need to post it here.  Watching it once is enough.