THE BILL TO INCREASE POLICE PRESENCE IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE IS WITHDRAWN … BUT MORE OFFICERS WILL PATROL THE AREA ANYWAY. COUNCILOR ISAAC BENTON WITHDREW HIS BILL AFTER CHIEF ALLEN BANKS AND THE AREA COMMANDER PROPOSED ADDING TWO OFFICERS FOR WEEKDAY SWING SHIFTS.
BENTON TELLS US THE PLAN WON'T COST APD ANY EXTRA MONEY BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT WILL USE EXISTING MANPOWER INSTEAD OF POLICE OVERTIME.
BENTON SAYS APD PATROLS DOWNTOWN MAINLY ON WEEKENDS WHEN THE BARS ARE BUSY. HE WANTED MORE OFFICERS IN THE AREA DURING THE WEEK, KEY TIMES FOR VISITORS AND TOURISTS. HE SAYS IF NEEDED, THE COUNCIL COULD RECONSIDER HIS LEGISLATION.
