Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety

City, county ask for millions for law enforcement technology, upgrades

With more money than ever swirling around the state’s budget—$10.5 billion total—everyone wants a piece of the action. For local law enforcement agencies, that means asking for millions of dollars for capital outlay projects to fund new technology, update existing vehicles and buildings, and more. Here in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, officials are touting their […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness, NM State Gov.

Advocates say housing, not harsher criminal penalties, will reduce crime

Albuquerque’s crime problems improve when affordable housing is addressed, not by instituting more severe penalties and longer jail sentences for offenders. That was the message a coalition of community advocates delivered to lawmakers during a virtual news conference held ahead of the New Mexico Legislature’s 30-day session which convened in Santa Fe today. Members of […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Downtown, Uncategorized

APD keeps arresting people with guns in the Downtown gun free zone. What happened to federal charges?

On Nov. 5, multiple officers were called to a Downtown parking lot on the corner of Central and Third for reports of a fight. When they arrived they found Noah Rodriguez, 21, and Darien Earl, 25, both had guns and open containers of alcohol in their cars, according to an incident report. Both young men […]

Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.

Solomon Peña co-defendant pleads guilty to interfering in electoral process

One of the three defendants facing federal charges for his part in a series of shootings targeting the homes of local lawmakers last year pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to conspiracy, interfering with federally protected activities, and using a firearm during those crimes. During a hearing in a nearly-empty courtroom Jose Trujillo, 22, also pleaded guilty […]

Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.

New Mexico justices hear challenge but make no quick decision on health ban on guns in parks and playgrounds

By MORGAN LEE Associated Press | SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Advocates for gun rights urged the New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday to block emergency orders by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham restricting people from carrying guns at public parks and playgrounds in the state’s largest metro area and address gun violence as a public […]

Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety

ABQ locals surrender over 600 guns in latest chapter of Gov’s gun safety push

The governor’s call to surrender unwanted guns netted State Police 150 handguns and 422 rifles and/or shotguns this past weekend in Albuquerque and another 684 at similar events around the state. It was the second buyback event hosted by the State Police as a part of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s crusade against gun violence in […]