CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY FIFTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-22-75 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Louie Sanchez
RESOLUTION
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Establishing A Tip Line Program Specifically For The Reporting Of Illegally Used Or Possessed Firearms, Adjusting Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations To Support The Program (Sanchez)
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WHEREAS, the illegal use or possession of firearms in the City presents a significant danger to residents of the City; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) has reported that weapons law violations have tripled in Albuquerque since 2018; and
WHEREAS, residents of the city sometimes hear or observe the discharge of firearms within their community, or are aware of persons negligently using firearms, or possessing of firearms who should not be - such as a felon in possession, or unlawful possession in a place where firearms are restricted; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding this knowledge, many people may not be sure about whether or how to report it, or may be concerned about their ability to remain anonymous; and
WHEREAS, APD presently employs other resources and technology to aid in the investigation of firearms offenses, such as Shot Spotter; and
WHEREAS, additional resources such as a dedicated tip line program could be of significant benefit to continue addressing this issue, and can help engage the public in directly assisting to address safety issues within the community; and
WHEREAS, infrastructure and resources already exist through APD’s collaboration with Crime Stoppers that could be utilized specifically for this program; and
WHEREAS, nothing herein is intended in any way to affect or interfere with a law abiding person’s ability or right to possess a firearm; and
WHEREAS, if successful, an illegal firearms tip line would potentially decrease the number of illegally possessed guns in the community.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. PROGRAM. The City, through collaboration with APD, the City Administration, and the City Council Services Department shall establish a fire arms tip line program that implements the following objectives:
• Collaboration with Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers to accept and immediately transmit tips about illegally used or possessed firearms within the City; and
• Collaboration with local law enforcement agencies such as APD, BCSO, the FBI and ATF to receive and provide diligent, twenty-four hour dispatch to investigate credible or useful tips; and
• The offering and delivery of cash rewards from Crime Stoppers for tips that result in the retrieval of an illegally used or possessed firearm; and
• A publicity campaign to promote reporting, to inform the public about illegal use or possession of firearms, to promote the use of the tip line, and to encourage responsible firearm ownership such as secure storage and registering of casings which can aid in the investigation of stolen firearms; and
• A report to the City Council in the form of an executive communication for its receipt by the end of the fiscal year outlining the impact of the program in terms of tips received, confiscations of illegal firearms, rewards awarded, and any other pertinent data.
SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION. That the following amount is hereby appropriated from available fund balance for Fiscal Year 2023 to fund an Illegal Firearm Tip Line through Crime Stoppers, and to fund a Media Campaign in support of the program:
GENERAL FUND - 110
Council Services
Council Services 100,000