MILAN, NM - Present at this meeting was Officer Nikolas Candelaria. Updates included that the MPD is now fully staffed, both major and minor crimes have gone up, and calls for service have gone up. Coffee with a Cop was held on Wednesday, August 2.
Candelaria began the meeting with updates regarding the police force. He said that the department recently hired a new officer, and they will now be fully staffed. The officer they hired previously worked for the sheriff department. Candelaria said that it’s nice being fully staffed.
For updates around the town Candelaria said MPD has solved a few burglary crimes and are still investigating a few more. According to Candelaria, both major and minor crimes have gone up but most crimes are minor. One of the recent, major burglaries targeted Triple H Auto Body off Motel Drive. Burglaries are also going up, mainly residential burglaries.
Calls for service have gone up as well. Candelaria said that, on average, he writes around five to eight reports every weekend. Currently, Candelaria said that he is writing about 13 to 20 reports over the weekend. “It’s just the summertime, people are more active getting out more. It’s hot, you know people drink.”
Candelaria said MPD is not planning on setting up DWI checkpoints – at the moment. “We haven’t heard anything from partnering agencies. I’m hoping we do have something, I know there are talks of a narcotics task force, so we are hoping to have that up and running sooner than later.” Candelaria also spoke about the flock cameras and how the agencies all have access. The MPD has reached out to the Sherriff department to communicate more and plan meetings, but they have not gotten a response back.
The department recently issued out new Axon body cameras. According to Candelaria they work very well, and he loves using them compared to the other body cameras which were big and loud with a bright light. “I think it’ll help the graveyard officers in case of an emergency.”
When asked what the citizens could do to help the police force, Candelaria responded, “You know here in the Village of Milan everybody, I feel like they take pride in what they have, their property and what they own, so I think the citizens are doing a wonderful job as far as reporting.” Candelaria said that MPD takes extra measures when they receive a call concerning a burglary. The department usually retrieves any stolen items within a week or so. Candelaria also said, “I would just say [to the citizens] keep it up, keep up the calling, keep up the communication.”
Candelaria has been looking into grants the department can apply for to purchase new vehicles. He said that he is looking at both pickup trucks and Tahoe’s. “They are bigger, they sit a little bit higher. Especially in the wintertime, for you know, the rain, the show, the ice; they are a little bit better as far as getting around.”
Candelaria said, “We’re chugging along, we’re going in the right direction. The officers we have are very motivated. We’re getting compliments on the police department in general, which is very nice. I love to hear it.”
Coffee With A Cop is for all community members and happens the first Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Rec Building, located at 405 Airport Road, Milan. Coffee will be served.