TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL DELAYED ACTION ON A BILL TO INCREASE POLICE PRESENCE DOWNTOWN … THE MEASURE IS BACK ON THE AGENDA WEDNESDAY. THE MEASURE CARRIED BY COUNCILOR ISAAC BENTON WOULD ADD TWO MORE OFFICERS TO PATROL THE DOWNTOWN AREA 24-7. AND BENTON'S OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE ON HIS BILL BECAUSE DOWNTOWN IS HOME TO CONVENTION BUSINESS AND TOURISM.
BENTON'S MET WITH APD INTERIM CHIEF ALLEN BANKS AND SAYS THE DEPARTMENT SEEMS TO THINK ALL PARTS OF THE CITY ARE EQUALLY COVERED BY POLICE PATROLS. BUT HE SAYS AGGRESSIVE STREET CRIME REMAINS A PROBLEM IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, THERE WAS A STABBING INCIDENT AT 3RD AND CENTRAL.
