The Albuquerque Police Department announced June 21 the launching of an initiative called Targeted Enforcement and Active Monitoring (TEAM).
According to the Albuquerque News, overtime for TEAM officers began July 1. Funds have been donated by numerous downtown businesses that will go to additional patrol of proactive police for the downtown area. A total of $90,000 was collected, and PNM Resources, also known as Public Service Company of New Mexico donated a grant award of $15,000.
“Curbing crime is a shared responsibility and the first order of business for any downtown revitalization work," PNM Chairman and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn said, according to Albuquerque News. "The PNM Resources Foundation is proud to support organizations, such as TEAM, that are providing the needed resources to rebuild stronger, safer, more cohesive, vibrant, participatory communities.”
Off-duty officers can be contracted by big box retailers, who will also pay for overtime for those officers, according to the Albuquerque News. A variety of problems will be targeted in the downtown neighborhood, including DWIs, fights, modified exhaust systems, illegal firearms and traffic enforcement.
“Downtown is the heartbeat of our city and we’re pushing forward to create more opportunities to live, work and find activities for everyone right here in our core,” Mayor Tim Keller said, according to Albuquerque News.
“We have made significant changes to bolster our presence downtown and have already seen the impacts of targeted enforcement, increased technology and more boots on the ground,” Police Chief Harold Medina added, according to the newspaper.
The paper reports that the city partners with downtown businesses to offer a stronger police force during peak volume.
According to the News, a larger police presence is based on a data-driven approach as it relates to public safety.
According to the newspaper, Albuquerque hopes to receive more contributions from downtown businesses to the One Albuquerque Fund so that TEAM can continue into in the future.