Targeting Neighborhood Threats team
sees success
by Rob Peterson, PCI #765
Las Cruces PD (NM)
In Las Cruces, New Mexico there is
a new police bicycle unit and its name says it all. Targeting Neighborhood
Threats (TNT) is a four-person unit responsible for just what they advertise,
targeting neighborhood threats. The unit was formed in October 2003, and
has far exceeded all expectations, even those of the team. Office space was
donated by a local businesswoman and they are located in what is considered
the downtown area, just in time for new revitalization efforts being made
by the city.
Lt Tom England is the motivating figure behind the team and serves as both
Swing Shift and TNT Supervisor. Officers Rob Peterson and Downs were members
of the Neighborhood Policing Program, which was disbanded several years ago
due to manpower constraints, and were the authors of the program and conceptual
idea. Officers Irma Palos and Joseph Misquez are the new additions to a team
whose members will be hand-picked for their special skills. The team has
recently added an investigator, Detective Jaime Quezada, for felony prosecutions.
Quezada also serves on the U.S. Marshall's Warrant Task Force, which serves
perfectly for the team during slow periods, although they are few and far
between.
In its first month of inception, TNT was responsible for taking three weapons
off the street (all gang-related), including one felon in possession and
another possible weapon used in a drive-by shooting. This was obviously an
omen for how the team would continue to perform. TNT works for the Patrol
Division, taking many of their cases from the information gathered by patrol
officers. Once a neighborhood threat is identified, TNT takes over the
coordination process, working closely with the officers who identified the
problem. Using whatever resources the team thinks they need (Codes Enforcement,
Animal Control, Investigations, Border Patrol, Adult Probation, etc.) they
devise a plan of action and work to terminate the threat. After the threat
has been neutralized, the team then moves to the next identified problem
area. TNT works the entire city and has taken the lead role in many high
profile cases, most of which are gang- or drug-related. The team has now
caught the eye of many local politicians and has been asked for by name.
Although the team is considered a "trial unit", it is expected to become
permanent, with the hopes of expanding the unit to eight or ten officers.
This would fortify the unit, which is already becoming thin because of demands
for their services.
Bicycles - specifically, Treks - are the main source of transportation for
the unit. There are currently three Trek Fuels and one Trek Liquid Fuel on
the team. Team members also have bicycle racks on their motor units; the
two vehicles complement each other perfectly to accomplish all their community
policing needs. Outdoor Adventure Bike Shop provides superior service to
the team and is always available for emergency service.
If you are interested in putting together a no-nonsense enforcement team
such as TNT, feel free to contact Rob Peterson or Wallace Downs at their
satellite office at (505) 524-8681. Did you catch that?(505) 524-TNT1.Either
one of the guys would love to go through the planning and implementation
process which ultimately turned out to be a two-year process. They are IPMBA
members and were certified as instructors during the San Antonio Conference.
Rob can be reached at
rpeterson@las-cruces.com.
© 2004 IPMBA. This article first appeared in the Summer 2004 issue
of IPMBA News. |
