Public Safety

AGU: Why We Can No Longer Ignore Consecutive Disasters

AGU News:

In recent decades, a striking number of countries have suffered from consecutive disasters: events whose impacts overlap both spatially and temporally, while recovery is still under way.

The risk of consecutive disasters will increase due to growing exposure, the interconnectedness of human society and the increased frequency and intensity of non‐tectonic hazard.

This paper provides an overview of the different types of consecutive disasters, their causes and impacts. The impacts can be distinctly different from disasters occurring in isolation (both spatially and temporally) Read More

NRA Rally Draws Hundreds Protesting ‘Red Flag’ Law

Matthew LM Manning, left, and Colton Thompson of Madrid carry firearms Friday while protesting with other gun rights activists at an NRA-sponsored rally outside the state Capitol in Santa Fe in protest of Senate Bill 5. Luke E. Montavon/The New Mexican

Lee Briscoe of Raton joins hundreds of gun rights activists Friday at the state Capitol. Photo by Luke E. Montavon/The New Mexican

 

By MICHAEL GERSTEIN
The New Mexican

Hundreds rallied outside the Capitol building in Santa Fe on Friday afternoon in opposition to a proposal backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to allow police to seize firearms Read More

Lane Closure: NM502/Trinity Drive Tuesday Feb. 4

COUNTY News:

Geo-Test, Inc. will perform two asphalt cores 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the slow lane on the eastbound lane of NM 502/Trinity Drive.

The slow lane will be closed during this time. The lane closure will include signs and barrels to allow for continuous travel through the area.

Motorists are urged to slow down in the construction zone and obey all traffic control devices.

 

 

  Read More

Panel Advances HB184: Training For School-Based Officers

By DILLON MULLAN
The New Mexican

Law enforcement officers stationed on New Mexico’s public school campuses could become required to receive specialized training in how to act in an educational environment.

Lawmakers on the state House Judiciary Committee on Friday unanimously advanced House Bill 184, sponsored by Rep. Patricio Ruiloba, an Albuquerque Democrat and retired police officer. The bill provides funding to train so-called school resource officers in deescalation techniques, informal counseling techniques and how respond to students with mental health disorders.

Read More

State Police Launching Checkpoints And Saturation Patrols In Counties Across New Mexico Throughout February

Throughout February, State Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints; saturation patrols; and registration, insurance and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties. Courtesy photo

NMSP News:

State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints; saturation patrols; and registration, insurance and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties throughout the month of February.

NMSP is bringing awareness to these events in an effort to reduce alcohol related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Reaches Decision: Energy Transition Act Does Apply To Closure Of San Juan Generating Plant

The New Mexico Supreme Court at 237 Don Gaspar in Santa Fe is the highest court in the state of New Mexico. It is established and its powers defined by Article VI of the New Mexico Constitution. Courtesy/NMSC

NM SUPREME COURT News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Energy Transition Act (passed and signed into law in 2019), must be applied by the PRC to the San Juan Generating Station abandonment proceedings.

In response, the bill’s sponsors issued the following statements:

“The Energy Transition Act is the law of the land,” said Sen. Jacob Candelaria, who co-sponsored Read More

HB11 ‘Reorganization Of PRC’ Introduced In House

HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE — House Bill 11 sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) and Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe) was introduced Thursday on the House floor. 

A good government bill, House Bill 11 reorganizes New Mexico’s Public Regulations Commission (PRC) to ensure consistency in decision-making, expertise in implementing state law, and security to PRC staff whose knowledge base is critical to the agency’s mission of ensuring the state is a leader and innovator in energy, infrastructure, health and safety, and industry.

“This bill modernizes the PRC to keep up with a Read More

Tales Of Our Times: Combating Pollutant Plumes In Groundwater Is Slow-Going

Tales of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water

Combating Pollutant Plumes In Groundwater Is Slow-Going

The U.S. EPA delivered unwelcome news five months ago about Española’s stubborn problems at the “North Railroad Avenue Plume Superfund Site”.

A letter from the EPA told the New Mexico Environment Department that the problems of it now belong to the NMED. The details of the case keep shifting, which makes the primary lesson clearer: Cleaning up pollution messes is immensely harder than avoiding them from the start.

The story goes back more than 50 years and has Read More

McQuiston: Winter Driving And Auto Claims Tips

By ALLEN MCQUISTON
The Jemez Agency

Winter storms often bring a rash of auto claims. Winter driving can be dangerous, so it is essential to stay alert and be smart. Let’s talk about winter driving safety tips, and steps to simplify the claims process should you be involved in an accident.

Here are five winter driving tips:

Prepare your vehicle for winter. Assure tires are properly inflated, fluid levels are maintained, the gas tank is at least 3/4 full when a storm is approaching, and windshield wiper blades are working well.

Stock your vehicle. In the event you do get stranded, be sure to have plenty Read More

Bill To Tackle Auto Theft Problem Passes First Committee

HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE – Tuesday, House Bill 156, the Crime of Illegally Dismantling Stolen Vehicles Act, sponsored by Rep. Abbas Akhil (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Daymon Ely (D-Albuquerque), passed the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee.

House Bill 509 addresses a major source of crime in New Mexico, especially in the Albuquerque metro area, by making it a felony to own or operate a “Chop Shop”.

“Chop Shops” are defined as places where an individual receives, stores, disassembles, or alters stolen motor vehicle parts to sell the parts for Read More