Daily Archives: November 4, 2009

Bernalillo County Deputies Request Public’s Assistance

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©Seal of Bernalillo County, New Mexico

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The following information was provided by Bernadette Miera,Neighborhood Program Coordinator for Bernallilo County.

10/30/09

Bernalillo County deputies need the public’s help ending a rash of home burglaries.

They have responded to 70 home burglaries in the last four months around the East Mountains. They say that is up significantly from what they usually see. So they need homeowners to be more watchful and careful.

Sergeant Broderick Sharp says there is a clear pattern for thieves targeting homes along major roads in the East Mountains.

“The benefits are the really expensive homes. The draw is it’s easy access in and out. You’re going to have very little contact with neighbors,” Sharp said.

There has been an increase in calls of suspicious-looking people posing as handymen and door-to-door salesmen suspected of casing upscale metro-area homes.

“For the Paako area, we’re going to have a group that’s targeting those citizens. For the south 14 residences, we’re going to have a group that’s targeting them,” Broderick said.

The last home thieves hit was located off Old Route 66 Tuesday. Burglars used a crow bar on the door before kicking it in. They took a Blue Ray player and sound system.

Sharp says they have stepped up patrols and made two arrests in connection with the home burglaries. But he says people living in the area need to do more to protect their homes.

The sergeant says most thieves are walking in through the front door after they find a key inside the house after they find hidden keys outside.

Aside from removing your hidden keys, Sharp says neighbors need to get neighborly and talk about what’s going on. Also, if you see something out of place—a vehicle that looks suspicious—call the sheriff’s office right away.

Below are two websites where you can get information on crime in your neighborhoods. I am not sure of how many of your organizations are familiar with these sites, but I thought they would be a good resource for residents.

http://www.crimemapping.com/

http://www.crimereports.com/

Bernadette Miera

Neighborhood Program Coordinator

Public Information Department

BERNALILLO COUNTY

(505) 468- 1279 / (fax) (505) 243-6979

 

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Hail To the Chief!

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By Bob Steiner

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Chief Chuck Swanberg

Since being activated some eighteen months ago, the Edgewood Police Department has experienced more than its fair share of growing pains. The first Chief of Police appointed  had  academic credentials which would make him eminently qualified as our town’s senior cop.   According to our local print media, though,   he seemed to  have trouble identifying with the local culture and communicating with his subordinates, most of whom were certified officers and well-experienced.  Unfortunately, two of his officers were less than loyal and caused some dissension in the department.   Ultimately, this, and other factors  were to bring about his departure from the valley.

The town’s Council, having been disappointed with their first choice,  then  wisely decided to go a different route.  They would  try to  find a qualified  individual within the central New Mexican  retired police community. This person would serve on an interim basis and the town would have plenty of time to  find a permanent incumbent for the position.

Recently retired from the Albuquerque Police Department,  Charles “Chuck” Swanberg agreed to take on the duties of  interim Chief until a permanent replacement could be found. Chief Swanberg was sworn in  and immediately began to push a training program to enhance the professionalism of all the town’s officers.  He finalized the town’s written police procedures, and went to great lengths to procure the latest protective equipment for his officers. His team of officers brought the local graffiti problem under control and during his tenure the town’s “Amber Alert” project for the  finger printing of children was started.  He effectively restored the town’s confidence in our men and woman in blue.

Chief Swanberg has done a superior job and after a change of command ceremony at the town council meeting, November 4th,  he will be returning to his life of  retirement involving airplanes ,  military re-enactments, and other hobbies.  He will  be around for a few more days helping  the new Chief, James T. Daniels,  to get his feet on the ground.  If  our readers should see him, I would hope that they would take the time to thank “Chuck” Swanberg for a job well done!

H A I L    T O     T H E   C H I E F   !

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