East Gateway Coalition Meeting July 22 Subject
The major topic is Focus on Crime, with Sheriff Darren White, APD Deputy Chief Mike Callaway, DA Kari Brandenburg, District Court Judge Pat Murdock, and Metro Court Judge Victor Valdez on the agenda to summarize the role of each agency in arresting, prosecuting, and punishing criminals in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. BernCo Assistant County Manager John Dantis will be there to address issues about Metro Detention Center.
This is an impressive array of talent addressing an important topic of great concern to taxpayers.
Plan to attend. Bring the Pres/VP/Security Director from your organization. Learn about the criminal justice system. Think about questions for the panelists to address so that we can all fully understand the constraints, successes, and needs of the criminal justice system.
Why don't the BCSO and APD arrest all of the criminals?
How many law enforcement officers are actually "on the street"?
How many law enforcement officers are in support/administrative jobs?
Why aren't investigations conducted more quickly?
To what extent does multiple jurisdiction e.g., city, county, federal) hinder arrests and investigations?
Who takes jurisdiction over serious crimes (e.g., drugs, assaults, murders)?
Why do some people (e.g., repeat DWIs, Daskalos) get off?
How long does it take to decide to prosecute?What's the role of Grand Juries? Why aren't they all prosecuted?Do we send the right people to jail? Are probation violators more dangerous than other criminals?
Does parole work?
What's the rate of recidivism for violent offenders? For property crime perpetrators?
What major limitations exist that keep your organization from arresting/prosecuting/convicting criminals?
What legislative changes would you like to see to help you do your job?
How can citizens help?
What civilian volunteer programs (neighborhood watch, crime prevention, police station augmentation) are there?
Many other areas come to mind...recruitment, trial delays/deferrals, victim's rights, rights of accused, rehabilitation, medical treatment, education of prisoners.
Please thing this through so that we can elicit good hard information from the panel members.
Sincerely, Roger MickelsonPresident, East Gateway Coalition of Associations
