This month’s Coffee With A Cop introduced us to a new lieutenant in the Milan Police Department - Lieutenant Berrios from Albuquerque Police Department. May 3rd was his first official day on the job. He comes to MPD with fifteen years of law enforcement experience. Along with Lieutenant Berrios was Milan Police Chief Ustupski, Officer Candelaria, Officer Salazar, Officer Pacheco, and several concerned citizens. If you haven’t had the chance to attend a Coffee With A Cop and you have concerns that you would like to discuss with the police, this a rare opportunity to get a faceto- face dialogue with local law enforcement. No topic is out of bounds.
This month, a local citizen aired her concern about mental health in the schools, violence, and students underperforming. Citing a recent series of articles in the Citizen about poor performance in the GCCS, a discussion arose about low math and reading statistics and the correlation between time spent on the internet and depression. There was talk about two sheriff's deputies being approved to work on campus. This led to a conversation about the special training a School Resource Officer must undergo before beginning work on the campus of a K-12 school campus.
“Drugs, vaping, bullying, threats of harm to other students, fights, even a missing student,” are all reasons why the police are called to a school campus, according to Chief Ustupski. “We get called to Grants High about once every two- to three-weeks.”
Another citizen brought up a recurring case of vandalism and harassment that she says is so bad she now has PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). “I’m just traumatized so bad,” she said. The citizen was supported and referred to Grants PD, since she resides there.
Cibola Citizen Manager, Sylvia Anzures-Gonzales, brought up the costly problem of newspaper theft and that the newspaper machine located at the Family Dollar in Milan had been identified as a major hub for theft. “We only have seven machines, and it’s just been getting worse,” she said. A stakeout at that location is being considered.
A citizen asked about what was the best way to handle a thief at your residence. According to Chief Ustupski, “Don’t confront thieves. You’re taking a chance.” Call the police and if possible, document the thief in action. The takeaway is that confrontation could be very risky and possibly escalate into violence.
The Milan PD currently has an opening for a Detective and one certified Patrol Officer.
Coffee With A Cop is for all community members and happens the first Wednesday of every month at 11am at the Rec Building, located at 405 Airport Road. Milan. Coffee will be served.