Metro crime-fighting tools highlighted as federal funding package clears Congress

A package of federal appropriations bills that cleared both houses of Congress this week contains hundreds of millions of dollars for New Mexico, with a heavy emphasis on public safety in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján issued news releases Friday detailing the legislation, which now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.

As the state’s largest population center, the Albuquerque area is slated to receive funding for a notable list of anti-crime and infrastructure initiatives, including:

• $1,069,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s Real Time Crime Center to purchase law enforcement technology. (Secured by Luján and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez).
• $1,050,000 for forensic and crime scene reconstruction equipment for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
• $1,042,000 for new BCSO patrol vehicles. (Secured by Luján and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury).
• $1,035,000 to expand the city’s school-based violence intervention program, aimed at assisting at-risk students and reducing youth violence.
• $908,000 to expand the Albuquerque Police Department’s forensic capabilities.
• $500,000 for metro-area public safety technology upgrades to address violent crime. (Secured by Luján and Vasquez).

In recent public statements, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen have said new forensics and technology are critical to efforts to solve crimes and hold offenders accountable.

The legislation also includes $532,000 for the Pueblo of Isleta’s Chical Water Line Improvement project and $1 million for the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator to renovate its DNA processing lab.

Another $253 million is dedicated to the COPS Hiring Program, which Luján says will help agencies in New Mexico hire additional officers.

Senator Heinrich highlighted more than $112 million for commerce, justice, and science initiatives, including:

• $1,959,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program for recovery activities in the basin.
• $500,000 for wildfire prevention and restoration in the Middle Rio Grande Bosque in and around Albuquerque.
• $1,668,000 for the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. to increase helpline capacity and mental health training.
• $350,000 for New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence to expand youth prevention programs in the metro area.

The package also provides $500,000 for the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act and $1,031,000 for 5G wireless upgrades in State Police patrol vehicles.