Olive oil, orgasms, and APD (not necessarily in that order)

A commentary by Pilar Armstrong

Today, I attended a seminar on olive oil at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. I listened attentively while a fifth generation Andalusian olive grower inform the audience that olive oil could be used for everything except giving a woman an orgasm. While pondering this dilemma, I received an email from Silvio Dell'Angela, with an attached email letter from an APD Commander, Cliff Saylor. In the email, Commander Saylor asks for the community to contact Mayor Berry's office and the city councilors to voice there concerns in response to the recent letter sent to the Mayor's office from councilor's Ray Garduno, Debbie O'Mally, Ken Sanchez, and Isaac Benton. The councilor's letter, sent last week, asks that the Mayor support an outside investigation of APD, references the 23 police shootings and growing lack of confidence in APD by the community.

In his email, Saylor states that he is "gravely concerned" that the four councilors were being influenced by a small minority and negative media coverage of APD.

"It is absurd to blame the 23 officer-involved shootings on APD. There were many involved factors in the final outcome.", claims Saylor.

The commander cites the "failures" of the parents, school system, mental health professional, criminal justice system, prison system as contributing factors that determine the fate of an individual who comes in contact with APD. The email ends with the words "Integrity, Respect, Fairness, Pride".

What about, Service to the Community, Humility, and Compassion? Aren't those qualities we'd all like to see in our officers? I've meet retired APD officers and officers from other New Mexican cities who genuinely believed they are serving the community and have never had to pull out there firearm. I have also witnessed APD officers successfully neutralize potentially volatile situations involving domestic violence disputes and mentally ill individuals with compassion, and patience. What techniques are these officers using that others aren't? What are they doing to avoid conflict?

Why are so many of the shooting victims shot in the back if they are failing to "follow the lawful orders of police officers..", as Saylor claims?

Is it "fair" to place family members of the shooting victims under surveillance?

Mayor Berry's criticism of councilors
In response to the councilor's letter, the Mayor sent a press release to local news stations stating that APD was one of the finest police departments in America and that these councilors had obviously lost their faith in the department. I contacted the Mayor's office for verification of APD's claim to fame on Friday, April 13. The Mayor's office has failed to comment.

Mayor Berry also criticized the four councilors several weeks ago when they voted against the Paseo Over change project. Shortly afterward, Councilor's Sanchez and Garduno received death threats. APD has failed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Could this be one of the reasons why the councilors have lost their faith in APD?

As for the Mayor's claims of transparency, at least five independent journalist (including myself), many who publish articles in national publications, are denied press releases from both the Mayor's office and APD. Were's transparency in government when you only allow a select few access? A politician who claims fairness and transparency but blocks independent journalists is about as bad as one can't say "vagina" and authors a bill that hinders women's reproductive health.

Popular media outlets continue to give scant coverage or completely ignore packed City Council meetings. At the last City Council meeting, Mike Gomez held up a sign with a picture of his slain son for almost two whole minutes after Council President Trudy Jones asked activists with signs to sit down. The audience cheered in protest.

The next City Council meeting will be held this Monday, April 16, in  City Hall Council Chambers at 5:00 p.m.

Response to "Blocked" article

Sent by Silvio Dell'Angela

This discrimination against certain citizens and media outlets who dare criticize what’s going on like the burqueblotter, Eye on Albuquerque and others  is evidenced once again in the preceding burque article “Mayor’s Office Blocks Burque Blotter from ambassador’s visit.”  Why was burque’s editor Ms. Pilar Armstrong singled out for exclusion from this story while KOB-TV and others were not?  No credible answer from the Mayor for this-not surprisingly.  This was NOT a “private event”-the phony excuse used by the Mayor’s PIO Breanna Anderson.

Don’t we citizens have a right to know just how much of our tax dollars are being spent on these Mayor Berry image-promoting only visits-be they here in the City or for our Mayor’s boondoggles to other cities to find new ways to spend our tax dollars?  The Mayor’s campaign promise to us posted in 2010 on his ABQView website of a “new era of transparency and accountability” seems to be a joke-doesn’t it?

Be assured that we will be there in numbers at the March meeting with signs and anxious to see your new suppression tactic.  Maybe another APD enabler-Council President Jones will bless your edict using the same phony excuses.  You are either a willing part of the problem or part of the solution with APD here.  You seem to be the former thus far.  You still owe us a public apology and maybe even your resignation!  Your arrogance is disgraceful!

Mayor's office blocks Burque Blotter from ambassador's visit

The Burque Blotter was recently blocked from covering a story on the Japanese ambassador's, Ichiro Fujisaki, visit to Albuquerque. A press release from Mayor Berry's office was received on Wed., Feb. 22, announcing the ambassador's arrival. The following day the Mayor took Fujisaki on a walking tour of the Albuquerque Bio Park while discussing smart grid technology. A private reception at the Albuquerque Aquarium was to follow. Japan has invested over $30 million in research for such projects in New Mexico which the Mayor feels will benefit Albuquerque.

On Wed., the Blotter asked Deputy Information Officer, Breanna Anderson, via email, what time the event would take place in the hopes of having an opportunity to speak with the Mayor or the ambassador.

"This is simply an announcement, not a public event - given the Ambassador's instructions",  responded Anderson.

However, Albuquerque's news station KOB, ran a story about the "private" event with video footage of the Mayor and First Lady and members of the KOB newsroom, strolling through the Bio Park.  A second email asking Anderson why only certain members of the media were invited to the "private" event with the ambassador was sent this morning. As of press time no response has been received.

The Mayor's recent action to discriminate against certain members of the media prohibiting them form attending events in public places may be considered a violation of the First Amendment, which states, that government shall not abridge the freedom of speech or the press. The Mayor originally ran on a "transparency ticket" before his election in 2009. 

City tells activists to remove signs

Activists criticizing APD and Chief Schultz were asked to refrain from holding up signs around TV cameras and  public forum speakers.

In a phone interview after last nights City Council meeting, Laura Mason, Director of City Council Services, stated that she had received complaints from citizens claiming that the signs were distracting when other speakers were using the public forum. She also felt that most of the activists seemed willing to comply with the request and encouraged them to hold up signs two seats over from the podium, away from the cameras.

"We want for people to be respectful of other people at the meetings and the councilors," she said.

Activist Silvio Dell'Angela disagrees, stating in an email addressing City Councilors, Mason and Mayor Berry, that Mason was not authorized to make the request and demanding a public apology. Dell'Angela also criticized the use of a police officer to intimidate activists.

"Be assured that at the next Council meeting on March 5 that we will have our signs raised behind the speakers and shown to all viewers of GOV-TV and will look forward to seeing if you will have the good police officer there arrest us or force us to leave the Chambers.", retorted Dell'Angela, in the same email.

Black cloth was also placed on chairs around the podium as if to deter people from sitting or placing signs near the podium. Mason claims the City has been employing this practice for years and just wants to keep the peace.

"We will always try to treat Mr. Dell'Angela with respect," replied Mason.

Current City Council Rules of Procedure doesn't mention anything about the proper placement of signs at meetings. However, Section 12. of the Rules and Procedure states that disturbing the meetings in a "disorderly manner" shall be considered "unlawful". It is not clear as to what is considered disturbing and disorderly. The Blotter has contacted The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and is awaiting a response regarding these issues.

Latest media release update

The Burque Blotter has recent proof that the City of Albuquerque may have taken us off the media release list. This morning I (Pilar Armstrong) asked if there were any city closures due to recent snowfall. I received a brief email response from Deputy of Communication, Breanna Anderson, stating that any closures would be reported to new stations and the City's information hotline or 311. Shortly afterward The Blotter received a press release sent yesterday, Feb. 14 about the City's Silver Alert Program from an outside journalist. The journalist requested that their name not be mention. The Blotter is great full for this shared information and acknowledges the journalists request. As a result, an email was sent to both PIO and DOC demanding that The Blotter be placed back on the media release list within 24 hours. The Blotter has also contacted the ACLU on this matter. Sarah Welch, outgoing director for the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government has stated previously that all government entities should follow the same procedures as the White House by allowing all citizens access to media releases.

Media list update

By Pilar Armstrong

The Burque Blotter received an email response from Dayna Gardner, Director of Communications, Feb. 10, (today) at 11:16 a.m. The email was sent shortly after The Burque Blotter requested rules and procedures for being placed on the media release list. Gardner states that The Blotter remains on the City of Albuquerque's media release list and will continue to receive alerts and press releases. A crime alert from the Albuquerque Police Department was received shortly afterward. Below is a copy of the email from the City:

Ms. Armstrong,

Our standard protocol for communications from the Mayor’s Office is that correspondents on the Media Advisory distribution list, and for the APD Sig Alerts, must be credentialed reporters for a newspaper or broadcast station, licensed by the FCC. We are more than happy to include other social outlets on our News Release list. You are a member of the News Release list and will continue to receive regular news updates from this office as well as other City Departments.

Dayna

Dayna Gardner

Director of Communications

City of Albuquerque

505-414-3438

Office of the Mayor

One Civic Plaza NW, 11^th Floor

Albuquerque, NM 87103

Cabq.gov

Burque blotter blocked by Mayor

By Pilar Armstrong

Sometime around Feb. 6, 2012 and Feb. 7, 2012 The Burque Blotter ceased receiving email notifications from the Albuquerque Police Department. On Feb. 8, 2012, both Public Information Officers Robert Gibbs and Tasia Martinez were contacted via email and phone as to inquire why The Burque Blotter was no longer receiving media alerts. Officer Martinez informed me (Pilar Armstrong) that I should address the Mayor's office with this issue since all media must first register through the Mayor's office. In informed Officer Martinez that I was currently on the City of Albuquerque's Media Release List and was currently receiving press releases from the Mayor's office. A voice mail message was left with Deputy Director of Information, Breannna Anderson, from the Mayor's office today, Feb. 9, 2012. As stated in an early posting for the Blotter, I had to wait several weeks before I was "approved" to be placed on the City's media release list. Accessibly to information by the media and individual citizens is linked to transparency and accountability in government. An inquiry as to what my rights were as an independent, online, journalist was made to New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. Executive Director, Sarah Welch, responded with the following comment.

"The key for me is transparency and consistency. Mistakes happen, of course, but it behooves agencies to have clear guidelines and policies that govern things like media advisory lists and press passes". 

It is unclear at this point in time as to whether or not the Blotter was intentionally taken off the media release list for APD. A list of guidelines and policies were never sent to the Blotter from the Mayor's office so it is unclear as to what policies were violated, if that is the case. 

The Burque Blotter currently follows APD SIG Alerts and general alerts on Twitter. 

Activist urge deferment of two APD reports

Some Albuquerque activists are urging councilors and citizens to defer two APD reports at tomorrow nights City Council meeting.

The reports that are raising criticism are council agenda items EC-11-613, IRO 3rd Quarter Report and OC-11-34, MGT Report of the Police Oversight Commission ordinance system. Activist, Silvio Dell'Angela claims that the latest commission report
"..has historical information likely cut and past from their previous report and their cut and paste of what other cities are doing from their other City reports.", in an email sent to the blotter.

The little known ,$39,219 study took place in Nov. of 2011 by consulting form MGT of America, Inc, from Texas.

MLK group never asked City for "free" lunch

Jewel Hall, the president of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Task Force, vehemently denies requesting any monetary support from the City of Albuquerque for it's annual celebration much less sponsoring a full meal for the event. The celebration, held on Jan. 16, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, honors high school students by awarding individual $1000 college scholarships. Students compete for the scholarships by entering an essay contest sponsored by the MLK group. The City recently withdrew it's support of the event claiming that they could not meet the groups demands for sponsoring a full meal for the event and that they were going to start "bundling 'black events'". Hall claims her organization never made any monetary demands whatsoever on the City or  the Mayor's office.
"In previous years there was a liaison from the City named Joyce Pullian who helped coordinate the "Unsung Heroes" (an award given to outstanding unrecognized community heroes) portion of the program," explained Hall.

Last June the organization received a letter from Pullian stating that she was resigning as City liaison and would no longer be participating in the event. Pullian retired shortly afterward. Hall called Tito Madrid, Constituent Services Director to Mayor Berry, and asked who would be taking Pullian's place.
"He said, 'No one as long as Renetta Torres is on the Board of Directors'," claims Hall.
Torres, who's been on the board of directors for 20 years, has had a successful relationship with the City until her son Christopher Torres was shot in the back three times by Albuquerque Police Officers last April. APD claims that the two APD officers involved in the shooting, were in the process of serving Christopher a warrant for road rage. An altercation ensued in the backyard of  the Torres house in which Christopher allegedly reached  for one of the officers guns. Hall alleges that the information she received from the Torres family stated that Christopher was first handcuffed, laid face down on the ground, and shot in the back three times until dead.
The grieving family promptly filed suit against the City and filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Hall claims Renetta even offered to resign from the board so that the City would continue it's sponsorship of the event.
"I said, 'No! You've been on the board for 20 years!'", says Hall.

In a phone interview, Madrid stated that Hall expected for the City to foot the bill for the MLK celebration's lunch. "They wanted more than just a snack tray and we weren't prepared to do that,".
Hall firmly states that all the organization asked was that the City provide program folders, a welcome letter from Mayor Berry, letters of recognition for the 29 scholarship recipients, and help serve refreshments.

According to Hall, Madrid's replacement, Doug Luzt informed her that the city would be "Taking care of all of the 'black events' in one bundle.". When asked what was meant by 'bundling black events' and if the City was going to start "bundling" "Mexican or Hispanic events" both Gardner and Madrid were at a loss for words.
"We are a multicultural group, not just a 'black group'", exclaimed Hall, "This celebration is about community and coming together to celebrate cultural diversity.".

At a recent City Council Meeting, the city awarded a group run by former city employee, Catherine McGill and "New Mexico Need to Know" Journalist, Gene Grant, $10,000 to promote Black History Month.

The City is currently embroiled in a discrimination lawsuit filed by the Albuquerque Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

This year's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be held on Jan. 16, 2012, from 1 to 3:00p.m., at Congregational Albert on 3800 Louisiana NE. Admission is free.

Activists demand City Council refuse Deaton's new contract

By Pilar Armstrong

In the wake of the 22 police shootings civil rights activists are demanding that Albuquerque's City Councilors not renew Independent Review Officer, William Deaton's contract with the City. Activists originally asked for Deaton's resignation from the Independent Review Office of the Police Oversight Commission. However, after Deaton was a no show at two City Council meetings activists are now demanding that Deaton's contract be nixed. The new proposed contract adds and additional $50,000 to Deaton's current salary of $98,440. Deaton, who was hired in 2007, is listed under the City's 250 highest paid employee's. Deaton is considered a part-time employee. 

The POC deemed all 22 shootings justifiable by APD. In contrast, many of the families of the shooting victims have filed civil lawsuits against the City and won large judgments because judges have ruled the shootings unjustifiable. Both Civil Rights groups and independent citizens have blamed the complacency of the POC on it's current leadership and are also asking that Chairperson Bambi Folk resign. 

"Grieving family members and many other citizens have repeatedly seen the IRO's and POC's routine excusal of all APD's abuses based solely on lies told by APD to internal affairs," claims activist Silvio Dell' Angela.

Dell'Angela and several family members of the shooting victims allege that the City's record's department also plays a part in complacency by denying them access to written records and tapes related to the shootings. The records office claims that the recordings either were unavailable, reorders weren't turned on or were malfunctioning or a combination of all three.  In an 2010 article featured in the Albuquerque Journal, APD officers claim that the new Scorpion Recorders are not as efficient as expected because they only offer 20 minutes of recording time and that it's too difficult to download data onto computers. However, after visiting a website that sold the same Scorpion recorders that APD purchased, it was discovered that the recorders actually offer over two hours of recording time and come with a complete owners manual. 

POC meetings are held the second Thur. of each month at 4:00p.m., in the City Council Chambers on the lower level of One Civic Plaza NW. The next City Council meeting will be held this Mon., Dec. 19, 2011 at 5:00p.m. at One Civil Plaza NW. Activists are asking for community support in demanding the resignation of Bambi Folk and the refusal of Deaton's contract at the Dec. 19th meeting. 

Update in garbage and green waste pickup

The City of Albuquerque's Solid Waste Department sent out a "recall" on the previous press release stating that there would be delays in Green Waste and garbage pickup. Bobby Sisneros, Marketing Manager for the Solid Waste Department, affirmed that all garbage in Albuquerque should be picked up by the end of the day. The City will send out additional updates if necessary.

Oh snowy day! Delays and closures in ABQ

The following are a list of  closures and delays in Albuquerque due to the wind and snow:

• APS schools are currently closed until weather improves
• UNM is on a two hour delay
• The Metropolitan Court House will be open at 10:00a.m.
• The Bernalillo County District Court House is on two hour delay
• ABQ Ride Buses are experiencing some delays due to icy road conditions on the West and East side of town, log onto www.myabqride.com
• All City of Albuquerque Offices are currently open

Mayor and police chief request public opinion on new car style

APD is considering retiring it's red, white, and blue fleet of Crown Victoria's for a sportier new black and white Dodge Charger and wants public input. People are encouraged to visit cabq.gov and vote on the two designs. The new prototype was revealed at a press conference hosted by Mayor Berry and APD today, Nov. 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Albuquerque's Civic Plaza. According to Chief Ray Schultz, Ford will cease production of the Crown Victoria Police Cruiser at the end of 2011. This prompted APD to look at new style and a new color scheme. The City has been using the current model, color scheme, and graphics since 1994.
"The black and white design would allow for more consistency (in style) with BCSD and State Trooper cars," stated Schultz. The chief also claims that the new "look" would make it easier for people to identify law enforcement vehicles when officers pull up behind them. APD has also considered the Ford Taurus to replace fleet vehicles. However, design issues were found with the interior of the car.
The Charger has a full sized spare tire in the trunk area of the car which enables officers to change a flat tire and continue using the car throughout their shift instead of having to leave it at the garage. Chief Schultz also heralded to ease of cleaning out the back of the cars when people (who are detained) have "accidents".
"The rear containment module is completely self contained. Police officers can easily hose out the back of the car,".
According to Schultz, the Dodge Chargers are also cheaper than the traditional Crown Victoria's. Prices of the new cars were not discussed at the press conference. The City expects to purchase approximately 60 new cars with Capital Improvements Plan funding to replace existing fleet cars in 2012. The majority of the cars will be marked vehicles.
Additional Comment:
When asked by The Burque Blotter if a GPS tracking system would be installed in the new vehicles Schultz replied, "No, but with our ongoing efforts to keep up with technology eventually they will be,". In my humble opinion  all government vehicles should have GPS tracking installed to keep track of employee use. Recent discoveries of misuse of city vehicles have been documented in the media. Therefore, it is imperative that APD utilize GPS tracking devices in all of it's vehicles as part of it's "Smart Policing Policy".

How transparent is the City?

A little over a month ago I introduced myself to Albuquerque's City Council at a city council meeting, informing city councilors that I would be conducting an information audit on the City of Albuquerque and other government entities. One might ask what the heck is an information audit? An information audit is an audit that can be conducted by a private citizen or a large media outlet on a government entity in order to test the accessibly of information. The first step taken in this process was to ask to be placed on the city's press release list. Initially the Director of Information had hesitations on whether or not to place me on the list since I am currently a freelance journalist and blogger. After pleading my case for three weeks I was placed on the list. In the interim I succeeded on being placed on press release lists from The City of Santa Fe to U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman. The average wait time to be placed on these lists ranged from five to ten minutes. I also found difficulty accessing information form the city's official website. Most city websites have a link to the city council agenda's on the home page. The City of Santa Fe emails the agenda after you sign up to be on their media release list. In order to access the City of Albuquerque's council meeting agenda I had to run several queries to access the link. Ironically the website received a transparency award. The Mayor's office will be hosting a "Chat with the  Mayor" event at the Cesar Chavez Community Center at 7505 Katheryn SE, tomorrow Oct. 27 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information call 505-768-3000. 

Email response to recent City Council Meeting

Below is an email received by The Burque Blotter, written by activist Silvio Dell'Angela, in response to the recent City Council Meeting on Monday.


Councilor Garduno seemed to be the only one committed to calling for a DOJ
investigation but the "compromise" he felt he somehow had to agree to wasn't
a compromise at all but a surrender to the other four and this Mayor.  What
did they give up?  Nothing.

The Mayor vetoed the original bill claiming it wasn't properly announced to
the public and the amendment changed the purpose of the original resolution.
Well the "compromise" amendment last night did the same thing and yet nobody
cared.

Both the Mayor and the Council will be obligated to support a DOJ
investigation should one occur so this passed resolution accomplished
nothing.

Politics as usual in Albuquerque.

More on this later.

Silvio

City Council Bill No. R-11-275

CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
NINETEENTH COUNCIL

COUNCIL BILL NO. R-11-275 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________

SPONSORED BY: Rey Garduño

1 RESOLUTION
2 SUPPORTING A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION
3 INTO WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN A PATTERN OR PRACTICE OF CIVIL
4 RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
5 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) conducts “pattern or
6 practice” investigations of local law enforcement agencies if it determines that
7 such investigations are warranted and DOJ involvement can bring about a
8 sustained change where necessary; and
9 WHEREAS, the DOJ has begun reviewing whether a “pattern or practice”
10 investigation should be conducted with regard to the Albuquerque Police
11 Department; and
12 WHEREAS, the Mayor has informed the DOJ that “we will fully cooperate
13 and will work collaboratively in regards to any investigation they choose to
14 conduct in this matter”; and
15 WHEREAS, based on the recent spike in incidents of the use of deadly
16 force by Albuquerque Police Officers, concerns have been brought to the
17 Council about whether Albuquerque Police Officers are receiving appropriate
18 training related to the use of deadly force; and
19 WHEREAS, based upon claims by public advocacy groups of systemic
20 profiling, concerns have been raised as to whether APD Officers are receiving
21 appropriate training regarding implicit bias; and
22 WHEREAS, a local law enforcement agency cannot be effective unless it
23 reduces crime, protects individual constitutional rights and engenders public
24 confidence; and
25 WHEREAS, a loss of the public’s confidence in APD and its leadership will
26 have a devastating impact on the community; and

Page 2

1 WHEREAS, an outside investigation is necessary to restore  the public’s
2 trust at this time; and
3 WHEREAS, by conducting a comprehensive review of APD recruitment and
4 training practices and operating procedures, the DOJ can identify issues that
5 must be addressed by APD; and
6 WHEREAS, the Council expresses its support of a DOJ investigation and of
7 the Mayor’s commitment to cooperate and work collaboratively with the DOJ
8 on such an investigation.
9 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF
10 ALBUQUERQUE:
11 The Council supports a comprehensive investigation by the U.S.
12 Department of Justice into whether there has been a pattern or practice of civil   rights violations by the Albuquerque Police Department.

Jewel L. Hall,PresidentDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Center Board
PO Box 40306
Albuquerque, NM 87196-03306

Garduno sponsors bill for DOJ investigation

City of Albuquerque Councilor Rey Garduno is sponsoring city bill No. R-11-275. The bill is a resolution supporting an investigation by the Department of Justice into the Albuquerque Police Department to establish whether there has been a pattern or practice of civil rights violations. The resolution cites Mayor Berry's agreement cooperate with any investigation and recent spikes in the use of deadly force by APD. The bill will be presented at the City Council meeting on Sept. 19, at 5:00p.m. People who wish to participate in the public forum are asked to arrive at 4:00p.m. to sign up to speak. Supporters of the families of victims who have been shot by APD officers are asked to wear blue to show their support.