Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry and members of the Construction Industry Crime Alliance (CICA) unveiled a new identification system Tuesday that will make it difficult for thieves to sell stolen equipment.
Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry and members of the Construction Industry Crime Alliance (CICA) unveiled a new identification system Tuesday that will make it difficult for thieves to sell stolen equipment.
At CICA’s monthly meeting Tuesday, the city provided the alliance’s members a unique identification number that can be engraved onto tools and equipment. The city also provided CICA members decals with their identification number.
CICA is a partnership between the Albuquerque Police Department and the construction and contracting industry. The group meets monthly and was formed about 18 months ago. Its members include: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC), National Utility Contractors Association of New Mexico (NUCA), Associated Contractors of New Mexico, Associated General Contractors (AGC), American Subcontractors Association of New Mexico (ASA-NM) and New Mexico Roofing Contractors Association.
The idea for the identification numbers came from the CICA members. They approached APD with the idea and several of them donated about $1,900 to help pay for the decals. The decals come in two sizes. CICA members were provided a 3-inch logo Tuesday. A larger 9 inch by 7 inch logo is on order.
“The police department can’t solve the property crime problem alone,” Mayor Berry said. “This is a perfect example of the city and industry working together to fight property crime.”
All pawn shops in the city will be provided with a list of the CICA identification numbers. In the event a tool or a piece of equipment shows up, pawn shop owners will know to contact the police department. The numbers will also be provided to all APD field officers so they know if they encounter something that is stolen.
“By affixing these logos to equipment, CICA members are making it clear that they are working with the Albuquerque Police Department to fight crime,” Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said. “When a thief sees that CICA logo, they may think twice about stealing the equipment, knowing there is a very good chance they may be caught.”
