I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Albuquerque mayoral candidate Richard Romero outlined his public safety platform for the press yesterday, saying the city needs more cops on the street, more community-based policing and quicker response times.
Romero noted the spike in property crime between 2007 and 2008, at the same time the city spent half it’s budget on public safety. He also said that APD response times have slowed, with his campaign providing information from news reports about a 7.5 minute response time in 2001 versus 8.24 minutes in 2009. Also, the campaign cited news reports stating that in 2003 the percentage of police officers on the street was 49 percent, versus 42 percent in 2009.
Crime in Albuquerque is “out of control,” Romero charged, with even the mayor not feeling safe.
“Why else does he need an entourage accompanying him to places like the Artichoke Cafe,” he asked rhetorically in reference to Mayor Martin Chavez’s three person security detail.
The Chavez’s security detail is an issue that Romero has brought up repeatedly, saying he’d put those security guards “back on the street.”
After his remarks, a KRQE reporter asked Romero about his record on public safety while he served in the New Mexico Senate, saying that Chavez had said that Romero lacked such a record.
Romero’s campaign later released the following list of anti-crime legislation he takes credit for:
§ In 2004, Richard Romero sponsored a successful bill to allow for longer sentences for repeated DWI offenses (including a term of three years for a seventh offense, two of which may not be suspended or deferred. He also voted to increase penalties for DWI on several other occasions — in 1998 for multiple DWI offenders.
§ Richard Romero sponsored legislation that allocated $3 million to combat domestic violence.
§ In 2001 Richard Romero voted to add financial remedies and therapy to domestic abuse cases.
§ In 2001 Richard Romero voted to toughen penalties for household battery.
§ In 2003, Richard Romero backed Richardson’s call for a stronger sex offender law. NM has a weak system of sex offender laws. Bill sets minimum penalties for sex offenders and increased penalties for those who commit crimes against children.
§ Richard Romero voted to protect children by enacting Megan’s Law. Megan’s Law is a law requiring law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders.
§ Richard Romero voted to require accused rapists be tested for HIV.
§ Richard Romero voted to make identify theft a punishable crime.
§ In 1997 Richard voted to make stalking a crime.
§ Richard Romero voted for hate crime sentencing.
§ Richard Romero voted in favor of gun safety to protect kids.
