Cristina Rodda
kob.com
Police agencies coordinate efforts in Valencia County
By: Cristina Rodda, KOB Eyewitness News 4
Valencia County is kicking off a major operation with several law enforcement agencies to crack down on crime during the holiday season.
This operation involves the Los Lunas Police Department, the Valencia Sheriff’s Department, New Mexico State Police and agencies from Bosque Farms, Belen and Isleta Pueblo.
Valencia County is seeing an increase in thefts, from cars to home burglaries. This holiday season more DWI's are expected, police said.
That's why this major operation started Saturday night.
"It let's the community members know law enforcement is out there and we are doing everything we can to increase public safety," said New Mexico State Police Sgt. Troy Weiser.
Several agencies will cover as much of Valencia County as they can, from state highways to Meadow Lake.
They are doing a warrant round up, especially meth warrants, they will saturate areas with officers looking for drunk drivers and do an overall search for criminal activity.
This weekend the Bandidos Motorcycle gang is returning to the area for a celebration.
"The Bandidios are not part of our focus we are aware of them and we think they'll probably come to town and do their 40th anniversary and hopefully leave,” Weiser said.
Valencia Police Chief Roy Melnick added, "it's not our main focus. It's not why we are here. We are here to address quality of life issues in Valencia County."
In all there will be seven teams hitting the county full force and they've prepared the Valencia County Adult Detention Center for an increase in suspects.
The last time a major operation like this took place in Valencia County was two years ago.
Back then the focus was on gangs.