Arrests, calls for service down in Portales

PORTALES — Arrests and calls for service in the city of Portales dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Portales police reported an increase in burglaries and some violent crimes.

Portales Police Chief Chris Williams presented the statistics during the Portales City Council meeting Tuesday in the Memorial Building.

Williams said calls for service dropped from 19,975 in 2019 to 12,996 in 2020. Arrests by police dropped from 619 in 2019 to 586 in 2020.

But Williams also reported the number of burglaries increased dramatically: from 93 in 2019 to 162 in 2020.

Other city crime statistics, comparing 2019 to 2020:

Citations down: 1,296 to 1,072.

Motor vehicle crashes down: 374 to 301.

Arrests down: 619 to 586.

Arson down: 9 to 7.

DWI down: 41 to 33.

Sexual assault up: 11 to 19.

Domestic violence up: 95 to 106.

Criminal damage down: 197 to 153

Records show city police investigated two homicides in 2020 and in 2019.

Williams also told city council members that officers are working 12-hour shifts, the department has six vacant positions and two officers are in the police academy.

He said the department provided gifts to 358 children at last year's drive-through Santa Cop event.

He said one of the department's goals from last year was to create an Emergency Operations Center (dispatch center) at the police department, but due to COVID-19, the project was halted, so it will be a goal for this year.

Also at Tuesday's council meeting, former Police Chief Pat Gallegos, who retired in November, was recognized for his retirement. Kathy Kennedy, who retired as a payroll specialist at the end of March, was also recognized.

“I want everyone who has been with me through any of my time to know that I have loved you all. You are always in my prayers, and I'll miss you,” Kennedy said.

Also at the meeting:

• Following an executive session, city councilors voted to form a search committee to seek a replacement for retiring City Manager Sammy Standefer. The committee will consist of Mayor Ron Jackson and councilors Veronica Cordova, Daniel Boan and Mike Miller.

• Councilors approved removal of uncollectable ambulance billing accounts, totaling $107,622

Fire Chief T.J. Cathey said it is ambulance billing accounts the department has been unable to collect on for four years, so the accounts can now be deemed as uncollectable, so the department can claim the amount through the state.

• Council members approved a resolution encouraging the community to conserve water

“We need to remind everybody, especially now, to start conserving water. We have noticed a significant increase in water usage this past year,” Public Works Director John DeSha told councilors.

• Council members approved a grant agreement between the city and the New Mexico Department of Transportation for rehabilitation of one of the airport's runways.

The Federal Aviation Administration will provide $150,457 for the project, while the city and state will provide $8,373 each.

• Council members approved an ordinance authorizing the city of Portales as a fiscal agent for providing already existing state funds to Hampton Farms, which plans to pursue projects not previously pursued by the Ready Roast company.

Councilor Jim Lucero, former plant manager at Ready Roast who is now executive director of the Roosevelt County Community Development Corp., abstained from the vote.

• Approved the renewal of the annual recreational facilities agreement with the Roosevelt County Little League for little league baseball season, which is set to start May 1.

Recreation Director Jodi Diaz said there are a lot of COVID-19 guidelines they have to follow, but they are planning on making the little league baseball season happen.