Author: Trujillo, Briana

Northwest Area Command
Commander Sanchez Corner

Northwest Area Command
Newsletter

Legend
Commander—————-–—— 1
Northwest Lieutenants——–—–-2
Crime Prevention——-—— -——-3
Community Police Council–—– 4
Community Outreach————–--5
P. R. T. Officers Corner——————6
Coffee with a Cop Event photos-7
October Calendar of Events———8
October Calendar of Events——8

Northwest Area Command Supervisors
Commander Arturo Sanchez
arturosanchez@cabq.gov
505-768-4850
Day Shift 0700-1500
Lt. Kevin Napoleone
knapoleone@cabq.gov
Sgt. Ivan Varela
ivarela@cabq.gov
Sgt. Michael Rico
mrico@cabq.gov
Sgt. George Gabaldon
ggabaldon@cabq.gov
Swing Shift 1440-2230
Lt. Amy Sedler
ajsedler@cabq.gov
Sgt. Christopher Romero
cromero@cabq.gov
Graveyard 2200-0800
Lt. Jim Edison
jedison@cabq.gov
Sgt. Chris Poccia
cpoccia@cabq.gov
Sgt. Daniel Lopez
djlopez@cabq.gov
Sgt. Paul Martin
pmartin@cabq.gov

September was the first month of the new officer bid for the Northwest Area Command. I have conducted briefings with several of our teams already and we are in the process of assigning officers their neighborhood associations and block captains. Although we are experiencing some challenges with resources, our officers and staff continue to be committed to the goals that we have set for the Area Command. We are continuing to see an overall drop in property crimes but auto thefts are still a concern. We are also seeing an overall increase in violent crimes, in particular our commercial robberies. With the increase in armed robberies, our Proactive Response Team (PRT) has been conducting operations in the area of Coors and Quail NW.
During the last week of September, we unfortunately had a shooting in one of our neighborhoods. The shooting occurred as a result of a large party where numerous rounds were fired and several homes and vehicles were struck. Two individuals were injured and luckily no one was killed. I mention this because I want to ask all of you, the community, that if you are going to host a party or an event to please be responsible. This means that you need to know who is at your gathering, ensure there is no underage drinking, and have a good time, but responsibly. We have had several incidents like this where parties have gotten out of control and shootings have happened. The other thing I want to mention, given this incident and others like it, as an area command we are going to hold those homeowners who create an environment that will lead to violence accountable. We will be doing outreach throughout the area command with parents and youth alike. We do not want to discourage people from having a good time with friends and family, but please do it responsibly. I know that together we can solve problems in our community and make the area command safer.
I would like to please encourage everyone to take part in the Community Policing Council (CPC) and your neighborhood associations. As always please contact us with any questions, concerns, or information that can help us improve the safety in our community. Please have a safe Halloween.

October 2021

1

Northwest Area Command
Lieutenant’s Corner
d

Northwest Area Command Watch I
Lt. Jim Edison

Northwest Area Command Watch 1 is the “Graveyard watch”. The shift runs from 10pm to 8am. Sixteen patrol officers spread over four teams, three Sergeants and I, Lieutenant Jim Edison, staff the watch. Experience ranges from 16 years to just a few months of service. The Watch is currently divided between three Sergeants, we soon hope to have a fourth. The teams work with no less than eight patrol officers a night, and as many on twelve on the busier nights.
Watch 1 POP project (problem oriented policing) focuses on property crimes within sector 62 (boarded to the north by Paseo Del Norte the south by Western Trail from the river on the east to double eagle airport on the west). Primarily property crimes such as auto theft, auto burglary, residential burglary and commercial burglary are tracked and measured against data from the same month the prior year.

Northwest Area Command Watch II
Lt. Kevin Napoleone

September is the first full month of our annual bid this year and I am looking forward to meeting more members of the public who live in our area command. I have had the opportunity to meet some of you at the coffee with a cop event earlier this month and the Officer Appreciation event at the Northwest substation at the end of last month. Officers on watch II (dayshift) will continue with the POP plan initiated last bid on the West Bluff area. Although Officers on watch II have been directed to continue the enforcement and proactivity in the West Bluff area, they are also continuing enforcement throughout the entire area command. Our PRT (proactive response team) has made multiple felony level property crime arrests and this month arrested an armed robber who is linked to six other robberies throughout the city. I am proud of the officers and sergeants who work for me and look forward to making this city safer every day.

Northwest Area Command Watch III
Lt. Amy Sedler
Lt. Richard Evans

August 28, 2021 began the start of a new bid for officers within the Northwest Area Command. You will see new faces but the same motivation and dedication. Watch III is and will continue to direct officers to proactively patrol areas within the northwest which have been identified as “hot spots” for property crime and theft. Not only will these officers respond to calls for service but they will also conduct periodic watches within your neighborhoods, directed activity plans, and community engagement. As the holidays approach I ask for your help in remembering to secure your valuables out of sight, lock your car doors, and turn on your outdoor lights on at night. Burglars often times look for crimes of opportunity and by making small adjustments we can assist in the deterrence of crime. APD works hard to identify and arrest these criminals, largely in part with help from you. If you see suspicious activity do not hesitate to call 242-COPS for non-emergencies and 911 for emergencies.

October 2021

2

Northwest Area Command
Crime Prevention Corner
Lt. Corner
d

Pete Gelabert,
NW Crime Prevention
Specialist
pgelabert@cabq.gov
Office 505-768-4873
Mobile 505-803-2982
Mobile

Halloween Safety Tips
If you have any questions, please contact me.

Halloween is a wonderful part of the changing seasons and we should do everything possible to ensure the night remains a wonderful experience for our children. Most of you are aware of the need to take precautions on this evening, particularly in regard to altered treats and safety. Unfortunately, there are dangers associated with this annual goblin festival. The following tips should be considered by all adults and children as a guide to protect them during a night of trick-or-treating.
For Parents:
The safest place is a sponsored event at a mall, school, church or neighborhood event.
Accompany young children on the route.
Agree to the route and an expected arrival time prior to departure.
Always check your children’s treats prior to consumption.
If your driving be extra careful with kids on your street. Drive slow!
For Children and Parents:
Wear light-colored clothing or costumes.
Use make-up instead of a mask for better visibility.
Make a map of the route for you and your parents.
Carry a flashlight or light stick.
Stay in your own neighborhood.
Be respectful of other people and their property.
Stop only at well-lighted houses.
Have a parent check the treats before you eat them.
Start early and end early.
Use sidewalks or walk facing traffic.st an initial Neighborhood Watch meeting.
Whoever is going to host the meeting calls Pete Gelabert, Crime Prevention Specialist, at 768-4873, and or E mail at pgelabert@cabq.gov to provide their name, address and phone number. Pete Gelabert will send a “starter packet” that will include, among other items, a form to collect information from your neighbors.
The host or designee goes up and down the block contacting the neighbors and recording their name, address and phone number on the form.
The host then sends the completed list back to Pete Gelabert, Crime Prevention Specialist.
Crime Prevention Specialist, Pete Gelabert will contact the host to set up a date and time for the Neighborhood Watch meeting.
At the meeting, the host provides chairs and simple refreshments.
The Crime Prevention Specialist will conduct the meeting and towards the end, facilitate the group’s selection of a Block Captain who will function as the neighborhood leader and will serve as a contact person for the Albuquerque Police Department.
The Block Captain is responsible for contacting new neighbors and for providing updated information to the Crime Prevention Office (Block Captain Replacement, etc).
The block is now organized and may collectively purchase Neighborhoods Organized against Crime (NOAC) Street Signs. The signs may be ordered (by the Block Captain only) through the Crime Prevention Office. The Block Captain may also join the Albuquerque Block Captains Association (ABCA). The block can also officially participate in the annual National Night Out celebration held the first Tuesday of August each year.

October 2021

3

Northwest Area Command
Community Policing Council Corner

Northwest Area Command

Council Chair:
Eric Jackson E mail northwestcpc@cabq.gov
Other Members:
Jeff Miller
Karen Schwartz
Racheal Donovan
Dr. Stephanie Coleman Mack
Tom Borst
Don Newton - Taylor Ranch Community Center 4900 Kachina NW and or
CPC (zoom) meeting , 3rd Wednesday of every month. Link.
https://cabq.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZH3iX6nRSOmGbBA

Council Goals
The goal of each Community Policing Council is to engage in candid, detailed and meaningful dialogue between Albuquerque Police and the citizens they serve. Councils are independent from the City and Department. They are encouraged to formally recommend changes to Albuquerque Police Department policies and procedures. They are also asked to make recommendations and identify concerns, problems, successes and opportunities within each area command and for the department as a whole.
Council Membership
Each of the six Community Policing Councils is composed of members from the community and voting members. Voting members must reside within or have businesses within the boundaries of their area command.
All attendees (members) are encouraged to submit recommendations, provide input concerning recommendations, ask questions and submit topics for discussion.
The zoom meeting link is;
https://cabq.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZH3iX6nRSOmGbBA
E-mail contact information for the CPC Board is;
NorthwestCPC@cabq.gov.

October 2021

4

Northwest Area Command
Community Outreach Corner

Outreach:
APD’S COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) is continuing to work with the West Side Homeless shelter , service providers and Field Officers to ensure that the homeless and most vulnerable are being offered shelter and resources. Service providers are continuing to do homeless outreach throughout the City.
Coffee with a Cop at various restaurant locations:
Coffee with a Cop was held on September 17, 2021, at the Chick-Fil-A at 4001 Coors NW. This is an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the police officers in your community.
Business Coalition meetings:
We have three community business locations. The Westside area businesses, Riverside area businesses and the Cottonwood area businesses. The meetings were held in August, September and October. We are working with the businesses to identify and reduce criminal activity. In the meetings we will identify the business stake holders that will be involved, concerns on any type of criminal activity. We will talk about resources that can be used to deter and reduce criminal activity and provide crime prevention training, business security assessments and educate the businesses concerning property crimes.
Crime Prevention:
Establish neighborhood watch programs in the NW Area Command. A block captains will be assigned and function as the neighborhood leader. Each neighborhood watch block captain will have a police officer assigned to them.
ADAPT Program (Abandoned & Dilapidated Abatement Property Team):
The program identifies and addresses abandoned and /or dilapidated properties that become public nuisance because they have a pattern of calls for service, serious criminal activity or because they pose a public safety threat. The goal is to work with property owners to increase the health, safety, and welfare of the buildings and the community. Making our community a safe environment for us to enjoy. Through community policing we will reduce crime and increase quality of life in the area.

October 2021

5

Northwest Area Command
Problem Response Team Corner

The Northwest Problem Response Team is constantly working to build positive relationships with the community through community outreach, tac plans with local businesses, and events with youth centers and schools.
The PRT team currently includes Officer Brandon Forsberg, Officer Sean Morper, Officer Patrick Garcia, and is supervised by Sergeant George Gabaldon. Sergeant Gabaldon has been with the Albuquerque Police Department since June of 2004 and has served in the Field Services Bureau, Open Space Unit, General Crimes Investigations, the Downtown Community Policing Unit and now is the Sergeant for NW PRT.
NW PRT is frequently involved in neighborhood and community meetings to help better understand what the publics concerns are and bridge the gap between the public and law enforcement. NW PRT also coordinates with schools in the NW Area Command to help create a positive relationship between Albuquerque’s youth and the police.
In the past month, NW PRT conducted a property crimes operation at the Cottonwood Home Depot that resulted in three arrest, to include the arrest of a serial shoplifter who had been repeatedly stealing from Home Depot since January. During the month of September an increase of robberies had been occurring in the south part of the Area Command. NW PRT setup a robbery tac plan and focused all of their proactive patrol in tthat area. The tac plan led to the apprehension of a serial robbery offender who had been plaguing the NW area command. The information was shared with the Robbery Unit who was able to close multiple robberies cases because of the arrest.
During the month of September, NW PRT learned of an increasing amount of concerns surrounding the Cottonwood Heights Skate Park located next to Cibola High School. Members of the NW PRT worked with Waste Management, Parks and Recreation and staff from Cibola High School to address problems. After conducting an assessment of the Skate Park a plan was developed which included setting up a camera trailer in the parking lot, have the gates locked during school hours, have more frequent trash pickups, address lighting in the area, repair damaged fences and have proper signage posted in the skate park addressing the rules and hours of operation of the park. The goal is create a safer environment for those who want to enjoy the skate park as well as for the students attending Cibola High School. Several of the problems noted have been addressed and PRT will continue more frequent patrols in the area while continuing to work with Parks and Recreation to address any future issue that may arise.

October 2021

6

Northwest Area Command
Coffee with a Cop Event

Friday, September 17, 2021, Chick-Fil-A hosted a Coffee with a Cop. This was an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the police officers in your community!

October 2021

7

Northwest Area Command
October Calendar of Events Corner

◄ Sep 2021	October 2021					Nov 2021 ►
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1 / 8am / Riverside Business Meeting at the NW Area Command / (businesses only)	2
3	4	5	6 / 6pm / Westside Coalition (zoom) meeting / 1st Wednesday of every month	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20 / 6pm / CPC (zoom) meeting / 3rd Wednesday of every month	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30 / 9am / City Wide Block Captains (zoom) meeting
31

October 2021 2020212021page 6

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Auto burglary is a crime of opportunity; vehicles are easy targets and often contain property that is attractive to thieves. Large parking lots and neighborhoods with a lot of on-street parking can be prime targets for theft. Use the easy, inexpensive tips below to reduce your risk.
Precautions	Remove These Items
 Leave nothing in plain-view inside your vehicle. /  Park in visible, well-lit areas. /  Roll up windows and lock doors. /  Place items in your trunk before reaching your destination. /  Secure the trunk, hatches, bed-mounting tool boxes and canopies.	 Garage door openers /  Electronic items (laptops, cell phones) /  Luggage/bags /  Financial documents/insturments /  Cash /  Firearms /  Mail /  Wallets/Purses