Romero speaks out on Abq crime

In an editorial I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I referenced a string of criminal incidents involving Albuquerque police as evidence of the need for systematic change within the department. I asked specifically, "With the mayoral race underway, will any candidate step up and address this issue?"

Mayoral candidate Richard Romero held a press conference today to address public safety. Although he didn't reference the collective illegal activity within the department, he did state that real integrity and leadership starts when we can admit that a problem exists in terms of rampant crime. Unfortunately that includes both sides of the local thin blue line.

Romero stated:

For eight years, we’ve heard inaccurate statistics and high-sounding rhetoric about how well the city is doing when it comes to reducing crime, improving response times, and putting enough officers on the street. These claims, unfortunately, are nothing more than a political smokescreen.

Romero was backed by five law enforcement veterans with over 130 years of collective experience. They included former APD Police Chief Sam Baca, retired APD officers Michelle Garcia, Earl Holmes, Sonny Leeper, Ed Perea and Marty Gilmore.

The former Senator proposed to battle the city's rising crime by:

- Putting more police on the street

- Making sure our public safety dollars are properly spent

- Reinvigorating our community policing efforts

- Improving response times

A reporter on the scene stated that Mayor Martin Chavez had issued a statement earlier in the day claiming that Romero did not sponsor or support one bill on public safety during his time in the Senate. Romero disputed that claim and his campaign has since responded in a press-release:

- In 2004, RR 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 identity theft a punishable crime

- 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.

APD and crime is one of Mayor Chavez's greatest weaknesses, among many. Having yet to declare his candidacy, we'll hold our breath for his response.

It would be interesting to see if any of the local media takes him to task for basically issuing a false statement about Romero's Senate record. Apparently the "incumbent advantage" involves local reporters not bothering to fact check the mayor's statements.

Full disclosure: I'm occasionally donating media assistance to the Romero campaign.