MILAN, NM – This month’s coffee with a cop was held on September 6. It included updates regarding their staffing, training, and a recent homicide that occurred in Milan. Village of Milan Trustees Vivian Brumbelow and Mercer were present at the meeting and two officers, Chief Carl Ustupski and Officer Nikolas Candelaria, were present to give updates and answer any questions.
Ustupski began by saying that they recently got fully staffed, but now they are down one after letting go their lieutenant. He said that it has been a huge benefit bringing in officers from different backgrounds. Ustupski said that they have gotten some new equipment, their new shields have been beneficial on calls and they will be continuing to use them and training more with them. A couple weeks ago multiple agencies went through active shooter training, and there was also a county wide lockdown to see what areas needed to be improved.
Ustupski also spoke about communication between the police department and Cibola County Correctional Center and how they have been working to improve communications. He spoke about how the Warden had approached them regarding a correctional officer who was bringing in substances into the facility and how they arrested the correctional officer. Ustupski said that it has been pretty consistent for calls. There have been a lot of domestics, public nuisances, and removal of persons.
Candelaria spoke about updates, he said that they have been pretty busy and they have been working on being seen. They have been trying to get out there and to let people know they are out there and doing their jobs. He said the thanks they receive is really nice, and that they have a lot of motivation at their department now. Candelaria also said that the morale at the department is great and is a huge part of their success.
The situation regarding animal control and animals getting loose was a big topic at this month’s meeting. Ustupski spoke about a situation that occurred with a young boy who was riding his bike and was bitten by a dog. Ustupski said that the situation has been a big problem and they have been working on the policy and that the animal control officer is doing the best that they can. They are in early stages of trying to find ways to reduce the population of the shelter, one way they are thinking of doing this is transporting a number of animals to a shelter outside the area.
At the end of the month GPD, MPD, and the county will be converting to a TYLER system which will assist in mapping, and being able to communicate between agencies. According to Ustupski the system will overall bring a lot more capabilities and to utilize for investigations and keeping track of equipment.
Ustupski spoke about the truck stops and how a majority of crashes are reported there. Many of the crashes also involve semis. They still have plans to do operations at the truck stops, but they don’t think that the problem is not as bad as it was last year. They had suggestions to paint the curbs bright red and to put more signage up. Parking is also a major issue in this area especially when there is a crash on I-40. Another issue that was discussed was the lighting on Route 66 and how that causes a safety concern. Ustupski spoke about a death that occurred where a woman was struck by a vehicle due to the lights being off in the area. Ustupski also said that lighting also helps with keeping businesses safe.
Candelaria was involved in a drug operation on I-40 and Route 66. He was the only one participating in the operation from MPD, NM State Police and the BIA were also involved in the operation. The operation is to look for drug smugglers or drugs, stopping vehicles, and talking with the individuals. Ustupski said that this kind of operation helps because it brings more officers into the area.
MPD also has plans to do a couple DWI checkpoints along with other agencies due to their lack of manpower. Ustupski said that they have spoken with NM State Police and they are planning to conduct a couple of checkpoints during the month.
A 10 p.m. curfew was also discussed at this meeting. Ustupski said that the curfew has been beneficial to the department because it gives them reasoning to talk to individuals that are seen walking after 10 p.m. The original 10 p.m. curfew was put in place due to COVID. Both Trustee James Mercer and Mayor Pro-Tem Vivian Brumbelow were present at this meeting and said that they don’t think that the ordinance for a curfew has been taken out of effect. They discussed bringing up a curfew again and maybe reinstating an ordinance at a future board of trustees meeting.
Concerned citizens who have questions or want to share ideas to help improve the community can consider attending the next session. Coffee With A Cop happens the first Wednesday of every month at the Rec Building located at 405 Airport Road, Milan.