MONEY FOR COPS ON THE TABLE: Mayor Supports City/DOJ Agreement to Accept Nearly $10M in Federal Funds to Hire More Police, Council Consideration Awaits

Last week, Mayor Tim Keller announced his intention to accept and sign onto a Department of Justice grant agreement that will give the City of Albuquerque $9.7 million to fund an additional 40 police officers in our city. The funding is part of a larger federal effort to stop persistent violent crime that is occurring in cities like Albuquerque, with a particular focus on stopping gun violence. Separately, the Department of Justice has deployed 35 additional federal agents to Albuquerque to help local law enforcement identify, arrest, and seriously prosecute violent criminals. According to a recent article in the Albuquerque Journal, nearly three dozen arrests were made as part of this initiative between July 22 and August 31 in Albuquerque, mainly on gun- and drug-related charges. 

In a letter to Mayor Tim Keller and City Councilors, the Chamber urged both the Mayor and the Council to sign the grant agreement, which has been hung up over language negotiations relating to the City’s “immigrant-friendly” policies and status. “The business community supports our local law enforcement agencies – including police departments and the D.A.’s Office – collaborating regularly with federal law enforcement agencies to identify serious criminals, arrest them, and prosecute them to the fullest extent,” the letter read. “A well-staffed and well-funded police department is key to that goal.”

This issue will be voted on at tonight’s City Council meeting.

Share this post

“THERE ARE SOLUTIONS RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR FACE”: Press Conference and Summit Focus on Violent Crime and Finding Solutions

On Tuesday, Attorney General Raúl Torrez held a press conference to talk about violent crime, gun violence and policy solutions that could make a difference. …

Read More

“WE’VE GOT TO SET DOWNTOWN FREE”: Mayor Tim Keller Talks Progress in Crime-Fighting and Economic Development

At a GACC Board of Directors meeting yesterday, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller presented updates on important city issues like crime, homelessness and Downtown revitalization. Crime …

Read More

UNPRECEDENTED POTENTIAL: APS Board’s Five-Year Plan Puts Kids on the Path to Success

Earlier this year, we shared the encouraging news of the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education’s decision to implement a five-year strategic plan that sets …

Read More

0

Scroll to Top