My memory (admittedly not always accurate) includes repeated reference in news stories in recent years in ABQ to budgeted amounts for police that go unspent because the department hasn’t been able to recruit enough of them. It’s not a unique problem to Albuquerque – many departments have this problem. Have you seen the billboards along I-25 about advertising to try to poach from other departments? Being a police officer is a very demanding job, requiring an extraordinary range of knowledge and skills along with living with the danger on an everyday basis. In any case, it seems to be recruitment, not dollars that’s the problem now.

Philip Dale

From: Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces@mailman.swcp.com> On Behalf Of sandy.ron.valek via Neighbors_nobhill-nm
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2025 12:47 PM
To: Sam Bawcum <sambawcum@gmail.com>
Cc: Nob Hill Neighbors <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com>
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] Theft

  [EXTERNAL]

We live in the north campus area and we have been robbed several times over the 36 years we have lived here. What has helped is having a large protective dog in the house. Of course, having a security system is a good idea. Sincerely, Sandra Valek

On Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 4:13 PM Sam Bawcum via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

Van Eldredge is a 26 year veteran police officer, retired from APD.  One would think that he would have a credible "inside track" into the operations and funding of APD.  He may. However, he has chosen to make false and negative assertions regarding the current mayor's role in "defunding the police".  He does so without any attributions to support this false claim.

The efforts by some groups and individuals to defund various police departments across the US has been occurring throughout history, for various and often disparate reasons. Over the past few years, in Albuquerque, as across the US, there were many groups promoting defunding efforts.  Albuquerque's mayor did not back any of these movements and, in fact, decried them.

I'm not sure what Mr. Eldredge's personal agenda may be, but he seems to be of the infectious mindset of making and promoting false claims.

In a cursory search for evidence to support Mr. Eldrdge's claims, I find nothing to support his assertion that the current Mayor has supported any defunding effort.  If Mr. Eldredge has evidence to the contrary, he should present it, or withdraw his statement.

My best to all,

Sam Bawcum

On Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM vaneldredge via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

JRB you are absolutely NOT to blame for having been victimized in this manner. Many others have also been harmed  including several Nob Hill businesses this weekend. 

The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of elected officials in our community. 

At the beginning of his first term Mayor Keller, in coordination with the former City Councilor for our district  Pat Davis, adopted a public policy of defunding the police. That policy has had a devastating impact on Albuquerque. Without resources being directed towards recruitment and retention of police officers the Albuquerque Police department is now woefully understaffed. Proactive policing patrols were taken away. 

The newly formed University Area Command is a small step in the right direction but as has been mentioned by APD area Commander Del Greco at our neighborhood association meetings without adequate staffing its difficult to get a handle on the problems. 

We desperately need the policy makers at both the state and local level to realize how important adequate policing is to the quality of life in our community. 

Van 

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: JRB via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com>

Date: 1/15/25 12:48 PM (GMT-07:00)

To: Nob Hill Neighbors <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com>

Subject: [Neighbors] Theft

I was stupid enough to leave my car parked in the street last night (Solano NE), instead of moving it to my driveway. Someone got into the trunk and stole about two hundred dollars worth of items.  My own fault.

I have lived in  Nob Hill since 1998. My house has been burglarized three times and items stolen from my car multiple times. Discouraging to say the least.

JRB

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