.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Public Safety

  • Food for the Firefighters

    After a six-month fire department energy conservation competition that approached the heat and intensity of a five-alarm fire the winner is . . . Fire Station 4. The crew reduced their electricity usage an average of 30 percent per month. Their efforts were recognized with a gourmet meal of meatballs with polenta and a red sauce prepared by County Administrator Harry Burgess and Deputy County Administrators Brian Bosshardt and Steve Lynne, assisted by the County Green Team. Top, County Administrator Harry Burgess serves lunch to firefighters William Nackers, left, and Keith Henry.

    Click here to read more...
  • Smith fails to appear

    An arrest warrant has been issued for Jake Smith, a former Los Alamos restaurateur and Santa Fe Realtor, after he failed to appear for arraignment on two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty Monday in the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe.

    The grand jury indictment, which was handed down March 13, charges that Smith “negligently mistreated, injured, killed without lawful justification or tormented an animal or abandoned or failed to provide necessary sustenance to an animal under his custody or control, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-18-1.”

    Juan Valencia from the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s office said, “I can confirm that Mr. Smith did not appear for his arraignment. I understand that the Judge issued a warrant for his failure to appear. Once arrested, he will be brought before the Court and arraigned and the matter of bond will be argued.”

    Santa Fe police spokesperson Celina Westervelt said, “We have not been able to track him down. We hear he may be in California. This is a case we are eager to prosecute.”

    Judge Stephen Pfeiffer of the First Judicial District Court for the County of Santa Fe also issued a warrant for his arrest on March 13. A cash bond of $5,000 was set. The warrant stated that Smith had to appear at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

    Click here to read more...
  • Someone burned the popcorn

    The Los Alamos Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Zia Credit Union Tuesday morning. Employees waited in the parking lot as an LAFD crew checked out the building. Deputy Chief Justin Grider said there was a tripped smoke detector in the break room with the probable cause of burned food. Grider said there was no damage and the employees were allowed back in the office by 8:15 a.m. 

    Click here to read more...
  • Agencies prepare for pilgrimage

    As thousands of pilgrims prepare for their journey to El Santuario de Chimayó in Santa Fe County, state, local and federal emergency response agencies are preparing for their arrival. Twenty-six entities, following the National Incident Management System, have collaborated to help prepare for and respond to any potential disaster in the area.
    Public safety is of the utmost concern and pilgrims and motorists should be mindful of the many dangers involved during the pilgrimage and what they can do to mitigate them. Walkers should be dressed for a variety of weather conditions, wear bright and reflective clothing, walk on one side of the roadway, stay hydrated and be very mindful of traffic. Motorists should reduce speed as they encounter pilgrims, heed the messages of electronic message boards and road signs and expect the unexpected.
    Laws and regulations will be enforced to help protect the safety of pilgrims and motorists. Motorists are advised that parking on Juan Medina Road in Chimayó will not be allowed and violators may be cited and their vehicles towed. The regulation against roadside vending will also be enforced. Because of the extreme fire danger, no open burning is permitted and everyone should be careful in their disposal of cigarette butts and matches.

    Click here to read more...
  • Police Beat 03-26-13

    Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records. Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt. The Los Alamos Police Department uses the term “arrest” to define anyone who has been physically arrested, served a court summons, or issued a citation.

    March 14

    2:09 a.m. — Moses Salazar, 27, of Los Alamos, was arrested on a charge of criminal damage to property and battery against a household member in the 3900 block of Alabama Avenue.

    March 15

    3:52 p.m. — A 20-year old Los Alamos woman reported to police she was the victim of a larceny (over $500, less than $2,500) in the 900 block of San Ildefonso Road.

    March 16

    3:30 p.m. — Tyler Jones, 27, of Los Alamos, was cited for committing a larceny (over $500 less than $2,500) in the 900 block of San Ildefonso Road.

    8:45 p.m. — Police arrested a 17-year-old Los Alamos teen for speeding, possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) and possession of drug paraphernalia in the 3700 block of East Jemez Road. She was released to her parents and referred to juvenile authorities.

    3 a.m. — Christopher McKenzie, 32, of Santa Fe, was arrested on a charge of battery against a household member in the 3300 block of Canyon Road.

    Click here to read more...
  • High Wind Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday

    HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

    * LOCATION... MUCH OF CENTRAL NEW MEXICO... INCLUDING THE MAJORITY OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN AND ADJACENT HIGHLANDS AND PLAINS... THE MIDDLE AND LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY INCLUDING THE ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE METRO AREAS... AND PORTIONS OF THE WEST CENTRAL... NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS.

    * WINDS... NORTHWEST 25 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS RANGING FROM 55 TO 60 MPH.

    * TIMING... WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN MID TO LATE MORNING THEN PEAK DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS BEFORE SLOWLY TAPERING OFF AFTER SUNSET.

    * VISIBILITY... AREAS OF BLOWING DUST WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO 3 MILES OR LESS. AT THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS NEAR THE COLORADO BORDER AND EAST ALONG THE JOHNSON MESA... LIGHT SNOW MAY RESULT IN MINOR ACCUMULATIONS BUT WILL PRODUCE AREAS OF REDUCED VISIBILITIES IN BLOWING SNOW.

    * LOCAL IMPACTS... HAZARDOUS CROSSWINDS WILL IMPACT NORTH TO SOUTH ORIENTED ROADS... INCLUDING PORTIONS OF I-25 FROM THE SIERRA AND SOCORRO COUNTY LINE TO RATON PASS. LIGHTWEIGHT AND UNSECURED OBJECTS MAY BECOME AIRBORNE.

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

    Click here to read more...
  • NMDOT preps for pilgrimage

    The highways and roads that lead to the village of Chimayó will be crowded next week as thousands of people begin their pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayó.
    The largest crowds will be seen on Good Friday, March 29, but road congestion and minor delays can be expected any time in this area during Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday.
    NMDOT District Five maintenance crews have begun sweeping operations and are preparing safe walking areas along U.S. Highway 84/285, N.M. 502, N.M. 503 and N.M. 76. Electronic message boards and other traffic signs will be placed along these routes to alert motorists to the expected large number of pedestrians on the road.
    NMDOT maintenance crews will place trash receptacles along the roads and portable lighting structures will be stationed at strategic locations to aid nighttime walkers.
    The regulation against roadside vending on the highway right-of-way will be strictly enforced to protect the safety of pilgrims and motorists. Parking on Juan Medina Road in Chimayo will not be allowed. No open burning is permitted due to extreme wildfire danger.

    Click here to read more...
  • Council to examine graffiti law

    In a step that may herald a more activist posture to enhance the town’s appearance, the Los Alamos County Council is set to mull enacting a new law aimed at curbing graffiti.

    An amendment to Los Alamos County Code Ordinance No. 02-230 that would prohibit graffiti vandalism and promote its eradication within the county is on the council’s Tuesday meeting agenda.

    Council asked County Attorney Rebecca Ehler to draft the ordinance after a citizen drew council’s attention to the growing perception that graffiti vandalism is increasing within the county and that the current county code does not specifically address the issue.

    Assistant County Attorney Kathryn Thwaits, who drafted the proposed amendment, said that graffiti ordinances are common both in New Mexico and throughout the United States. Thwaits drafted the proposed amendment to be consistent with both New Mexico State statutes and ordinances in other New Mexico municipalities.

    After defining the offense, the amendment reads:

    Click here to read more...
  • Volunteers step up for LAPD

    If you’re interested in the way law enforcement works or perhaps taking part in your community in a meaningful way, the Los Alamos Police Department may have just the job you’re looking for.

    The LAPD has restarted its volunteer staffing program and there are numerous positions available, including neighborhood watch, prisoner meal prep, fingerprinting and records management.

    Recently, residents interested in the volunteer program attended a meeting hosted by LAPD Chief Wayne Torpy and Cmdr. Randy Foster.

    “Thank you for at least coming to listen to us and we would appreciate any involvement you would like to have with us,” Torpy told the volunteers who attended.

    Torpy said the program came about as a way to solve a number of fiscal and logistical obstacles the department had been experiencing lately.

    “We’ve been looking at ways to take duties paid employees had been doing within the police department and lessen that amount of work they have to do, or eliminate it completely,” Torpy said.

    He said his department would be grateful for whatever number of volunteers they could get to help out.

    Click here to read more...
  • Hilltop hit and run

    Police arrested the driver of a white Ford Taurus after he allegedly lost control of his vehicle and hit a parked Honda Civic in the parking lot of the Hilltop House Hotel. Police said the driver was approaching from the south side of the parking lot when the accident occurred Wednesday morning. The driver was later charged with DUI.

    Click here to read more...