Take responsibility for your safety; rock the boat
COMPLACENCY HAS resulted in consequences in Albuquerque. I moved there in 1996 but have lived in Rio Rancho for years. Even there, I am aware of my surroundings, a behavior picked up for many reasons growing up. As a former assistant prosecutor in a rural area of the state, and longtime crime news follower, the current local crime situation is probably the worst it has been in most persons’ memory. I went to college in Detroit, so I have some perspective.
Too often, the perpetrators of murder, such as (those involving victims) Jacqueline Vigil or Rio Rancho police officer Gregg Benner, are soon found to have long criminal records, with a pattern of arrest, release, arrest, conviction, probation, arrest. The perpetrator in the recent gunfight with APD was from California with a felony record there, but it doesn’t change things for the victims, and perhaps some criminals know New Mexico is softer on crime.
For the second time in two years, N.M. State Police is helping saturate the area. In 2019, on one of the first nights of that surge, they were involved in two shootings within a few hours. The extra patrols are beneficial, but a month or so may not be enough. Albuquerque police are overwhelmed. It’s not the fault of the rank and file. Over the years, mismanagement by higher ups resulted in federal oversight, a topic for someone else to address. Officers are often hamstrung, and APD is having a difficult time attracting recruits. I know the police have a difficult job — I was a reserve
APD officer years ago.
The justice system has many interrelated parts: courts, prosecutors, etc. The problem is that too many officials and leaders do not want to “rock the boat.” They are often more worried about their next election or their next appointment. No one cares about your safety as much as you do (or should). There is an inherent foolishness in overreliance on others. The police can’t be everywhere before crime happens. You can take some responsibility for your safety while (hopefully) enough people start demanding more reasonable decisions from judges, legislators, etc. Take a concealed weapon course and have the mindset that you will not be a victim of crime. Write to your state legislators and insist on reforms.
Be the squeaky wheel. If you are the victim of crime, the District Attorney’s Office should keep you updated, but you can monitor the case on the state courts’ website. If you aren’t getting regular communication, go to the prosecutor’s office in person and get an update. Don’t rely on the criminal justice system to deliver financial restitution. File a civil lawsuit against the criminal(s). Even if the criminal case is dismissed, you have recourse. They may be “judgment proof” but it’s a way of imposing consequences on them. In my present employment, I cannot pursue such cases, but there are attorneys out there that may be willing to help you. Or simply file the case yourself.
Be wary of relying on “leaders” to do anything about the current situation. They are showing they won’t rock the boat. You need to rock the boat yourself...
MICHAEL THOMAS Rio Rancho attorney