Pete Dinelli News
Judge Enjoins APD From Enforcing Laws Against Homeless To Remove Them From Public Spaces
By Pete Dinelli | Oct 5, 2023
On Sept. 21, District Court Judge Josh Allison issued a Preliminary Injunction against the City of Albuquerque from “enforcing or threatening to enforce” statutes and city ordinance to displace the homeless from public spaces. The Court enjoined the city from seizing and destroying homeless belongings and mandates a warrant and post deprivation hearings regarding personal belongings seized.
Political Pressure Overrides Safety: Mayor Keller’s Legacy Project Exposes Workers to Asbestos
By Pete Dinelli | Sep 13, 2023
The City of Albuquerque and Consolidated Builders face record fines for ignoring asbestos risks at Mayor Keller's pet project, the Gateway Homeless Shelter, according to a damning report by New Mexico's OHSB.
APD Use of Force Down, Police Shooting Up; A violent city is now norm
By Pete Dinelli | Sep 1, 2023
The Albuquerque Police Department released its Annual Use of Force Report for the year 2022.
Keller's Rail Trail: Paradise Road or Homeless, Drug Skid Row?
By Pete Dinelli | Aug 17, 2023
On July 22, Mayor Tim Keller was joined by world-renowned architect Antoine Predock to announce plans for the Albuquerque Rail Trail project.
2023 ABQ elections will be a referendum on the job performance of Mayor Keller
By Pete Dinelli | Jul 28, 2023
The regular 2023 municipal election to elect City Councilors for City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be held on November 7, 2023 along with $200 Million in bonds to be approved by city voters.
A republic or 'political judicial monarchy'?
By Pete Dinelli | Jul 11, 2023
The United States Supreme Court at one time was viewed with a unique “sense of awe” and respect because it consistently interpreted the United States Constitution as a “living and evolving document”
Reversing the Homelessness Crisis: Is New Mexico Ready for a Behavioral Health Treatment Court?
By Pete Dinelli | Jun 15, 2023
On May 22, the NM Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) released a report on the state’s homeless and the affordable housing shortage which included the preliminary estimates of the 2023 Point In Time (PIT) annual homeless count.
Nine years of reform: time to close the case on Albuquerque's police department
By Pete Dinelli | May 31, 2023
On November 14, 2014, the City, APD and Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a stipulated Court Approved Settlement Agreement (CASA).
Under Keller, a 71% Homicide Surge Turns Albuquerque Into One of America's Most Violent Cities
By Pete Dinelli | May 22, 2023
On April 26, the Major Cities Chiefs Association released its Violent Crime Survey and national totals for the crimes of homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults.
ABQ councilors' move to diminish mayor's authority sparks debate
By Pete Dinelli | May 16, 2023
On April 27, first term City Councilors Democrat Louie Sanchez and Republican Renee Grout announced legislation proposing a City Charter amendment for a public vote that will make the Mayor of Albuquerque a member of the City Council.
Tim Keller's shanty town of casitas, duplexes and homeless encampments
By Pete Dinelli | May 9, 2023
A shanty town is loosely defined as an area of improvised buildings known as shanties or shacks of poor construction that lack adequate infrastructure including proper sanitation, safe water supply, electricity and street drainage and parking.
Enact Omnibus Violent Crime and Gun Control Act
By Pete Dinelli | Feb 6, 2023
In an effort at “bipartisanship”, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham held a high-level news conference with top Democratic and Republican legislators to ask for enactment of a wide range of “solutions” to deal with the state’s violent crime.
ACLU lawsuit vs ABQ: false and inflammatory
By Pete Dinelli | Jan 10, 2023
On Monday, December 19, the ACLU and the NM Center on Law & Poverty filed a “Class Action Complaint For Violations of Civil Rights and for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief” against the City of Albuquerque on behalf 8 Plaintiffs alleging they are homeless.
Keller’s motel conversion plan 'not ready for prime time'
By Pete Dinelli | Dec 15, 2022
“Motel conversions” is a plan where the City’s Family & Community Services Department will acquire and renovate existing motels to develop low-income affordable housing options.
Look ahead: ABQ’s 2023 municipal elections take shape
By Pete Dinelli | Nov 22, 2022
Democrat Pat Davis And Republican Trudy Jones have announced that they will not seek another term on the Albuquerque City Council in the 2023 municipal election.
Lujan Grisham and Ronchetti: Common ground on homelessness
By Pete Dinelli | Oct 13, 2022
On Sept. 30, a debate was held between Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican candidate TV weatherman Republican Mark Ronchetti.
Mayor Tim Keller 'sneaks' approval of 'safe outdoor space'
By Pete Dinelli | Aug 16, 2022
On July 30, Dawn Legacy Point filed the first application ever for a ‘Safe Outdoor Space’ homeless encampment.
Albuquerque’s Gibson Medical Center should be Homeless Hospital & Rehab Center
By Pete Dinelli | Aug 9, 2022
The city has a moral obligation to help the homeless who suffer from mental illness and drug addiction.
Mayor Tim Keller should suspend the permitting process for ‘safe outdoor spaces’ until the City Council has time to act
By Pete Dinelli | Jul 26, 2022
On July 19, the New Mexico Sun broke the story that applications for “safe outdoor spaces” have been filed with the city Planning Department and that private funding is being sought for at least 6 encampments.
APD’s stated 97% clearance rate for homicides in 2022 is misleading
By Pete Dinelli | Jul 22, 2022
On May 19 and July 19, APD officials proclaimed they had a 97% homicide clearance rate for 2022 with 47 suspects arrested, charged or identified in 40 recent and past homicide cases. The 97% figure is very misleading.