12-06-2024 6:48am

Alamogordo City Commissioner Meeting Recap

Chris Edwards Editor

The Alamogordo City Commission met on Tuesday and took the time for discussion Nd review of a proposal to combat issues of the unhoused squatting on property amongst other issues...

Camping on Public or Private Property:
This meeting hosted the first reading of a proposed modification to the Ordinance on Camping to make it prohibited in all public areas unless permitted by the city and to make such activities subject to immediate removal.

Private property camping in enclosed areas is permitted without restriction.
Unenclosed areas have the following restrictions:

Maximum of 72 consecutive hours in a 7 day period.

Owners have to give written permission which must be made available to law enforcement upon request.

Activities restricted while camping: unreasonable noise, fire hazard, no access to waste disposal facilities or sanitation.

Penalties: misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 or 6 months incarceration.

Exceptions: Emergency situations or city sanctioned events.

The discussion was lively with Commissioner Rardin being against policing what people can do on their private property. However the policy aloows camping sith property owners appoval.

Commissioner Paul said that if the camping is a nuisance then it's not good for the city. The ordinance passed 6-1

The discussion can be seen per the link below...

City Of Alamogordo Discusses The Homeless Issue
https://youtu.be/9OL8dVK5QoE

Police Challenges and Technology Presentation with the local police chief and the guest chief from Las Cruces.

APD is are understaffed by 25%. 4 people showed up to the last testing they had an no one passed.

2021 there were 26,000 calls for service, this year they are on pace to respond to 35,000 calls. a 37% increase.
2023 there were 7 homicides, in 2024 there have been 4.

Shoplifting, larcenies, criminal trespasses, disturbances etc are the biggest crimes.

Stolen vehicles average 83 a year with a 50% recovery rate.

APD is in the process of purchasing license plate readers and live view cameras that are placed around the city.

These stats lead into the presentation of Flock Safety and a Real Time Crime Center which utilizes technology to aid in solving crimes.

We were assured that it would not be "big brother." Las Cruces police utilize the technology and have increased their recovery rate of stolen vehicles and solved violent crimes using vehicle fingerprint" technology. Data is auto deleted after 30 days, but can be downloaded prior when needed for a crime.

Cost would be $100,000 start up which is already available with APD funding, that would include 25+ cameras. In the future they would like to have the Real Time Crime Center which could cost $500k-750k for an initial investment, which they may ask the state for during the 2026 capital outlay

The commission convened that half a million is affordable in the scheme of things and more action may be taken at a later date.

Executive Session: Discussion of city manager. The commission has decided they need more time to evaluate applicants.

In other actions the Fiscal Year Audit for 2023 was approved with an overall ckean bill of slate. The audit was performed by an external company.

Cottonwood West Replat B had several lots rezoned from single family to two family duplex or townhouse lots fir more affordable housing option for the city.

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update: the plan was approved and is needed in case a disaster ever happens and FEMA funds are needed. This plan will now move to FEMA to get approved.

The full merting can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/live/HeUV36cgPbU?si=D5CnIhwRIgD0awt6

The agenda... https://alamogordonm.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2929/files/agenda/3594