Working together again

VILLAGE OF MILAN, N.M. - Milan Elementary gave a warm Wildcat “thank you” to the New Mexico State Police, Village of Milan Police Department, Milan Volunteer Fire Department, and the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office as the entities found a way to give back to the community.

Officer Manuel Gonzales of NMSP wanted to give back to the community he worked around. Using money from his own pocket, Officer Gonzales purchased a series of school supplies and planned to take the supplies to Milan Elementary. When Milan Police Sergeant Joe Galindo learned about it, he decided to match the donation with his own money.

Milan Fire Chief Daniel Urioste and Cibola County Sheriff’s Deputy Kimry Ward joined forces with MPD and NMSP to help welcome the Wildcat community back to school.

Sgt. Galindo, MPD public information liaison, said that MPD is working on reestablishing their relationship with Milan Elementary. Before the pandemic began, MPD worked with the elementary school often, providing assistance with traffic, providing security for the students, and even handing goodies to students in the form of goodie bags, temporary tattoos and stickers. MPD would often invite students to their offices where the fire department and police would teach students about their jobs and provide them with a lunch courtesy of Sonic.

Principal Clara DeArmond, Milan Elementary, said “The new personnel at the village have already shown how supportive they’re going to be. We appreciate everything they do for us, this school and the whole village!”

Principal DeArmond said that the relationship with MPD, while having lapsed, has been repaired. Sgt. Galindo said that the department doesn’t have money at the moment to hire a school resource officer, but that the department is looking to increase security at the school and across the village.

“We’re letting the village know our focus, we want everyone to know that we’re here for this community,” Sgt. Galindo said.