New Mexico News
| Law Enforcement Program Ending |
| Posted by () on May 21 2008 at 7:46 PM |
A program that has united West Side communities and law enforcement over the past four years is coming to an end, but police say its presence will continue.
The West Side-South Valley Weed and Seed Strategy is an ongoing partnership between communities and law enforcement agencies. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and is in the last year of a five-year contract. Once that time period is up in September, the program is gone for good.
Albuquerque Police Department Southwest Area Commander Conrad Candelaria said just because the program is ending doesn't mean large community and law enforcement joint efforts— like one on Friday night— are going to stop.
"We are kind of winding down here," Candelaria said. "But I want to reinforce that we are going to be able to sustain our level of police involvement and the collaborative approach."
Louis Tafoya, president of Weed and Seed, said the past five years have helped improve communication between the community and law enforcement.
"We did get to work real well with a lot of agencies like APD and BCSO (Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office)," Tafoya said.
But he added there will plenty to do once the money runs out.
"Our problems aren't going to go away on October 1," Tafoya said.
Meanwhile, police were out in force on the West Side on Friday night in a Weed and Seed sweep resulting in several felony arrests, including three for the crime of buying alcohol for minors.
APD conducted cruising and liquor sales enforcement activities as well as a warrant sweep, according to Candelaria.
He said APD set up a command post at the Smith's on Central and Coors about 5 p.m. Friday night and stayed there until about 2 a.m. Saturday. He said officers kept an eye on cruisers.
"In no way do we try to deter the youth from cruising," Candelaria said. "We have high visibility and zero tolerance in regards to criminal and nuisance activity, however. If they're going to cruise and abide by the laws and regulations, then we're going to allow them to engage in that activity ... If they want to spend $4 a gallon on gas and cruise around, they can have at it."
Police also worked on catching people who might be tempted to buy alcohol for a minor. Police service aides under the age of 21 were utilized to contact people going into stores and ask them to buy some alcohol. Three people were arrested and charged with felonies for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Candelaria said.
Additionally, the young service aides attempted to purchase alcohol themselves at several stores on the West Side. Candelaria said no violations were found Friday night.
"That's good, that's the level of awareness we're trying to achieve," Candelaria said.
Candelaria said APD will conduct a couple more large operations like the one Friday night before the summer is over and will continue after that.
"The partnership that has been forged during the last four and a half years will continue, it will not in any way be disrupted because of the lack of the Weed and Seed Strategy," Candelaria said.
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