Latest news with #HaroldMedina
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Drones in Blue: Albuquerque police deploying autonomous tech to 911 calls
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — What if police could see what's happening at a potential crime scene before they even arrive? The Albuquerque Police Department says it can now do that. A 'professional courtesy': How an officer crossed the line 'I challenge anybody to go research and find me a department that has as much or more technology than us,' Chief Harold Medina said. APD utilizes license plate readers, gunshot detection systems, helicopters, body cameras, bus dash cameras, speed cameras, and now autonomous drones. Typically, a person operating a drone must be able to see the actual drone. That's a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement. But APD says it received a waiver from the federal agency, allowing the department to deploy drones as first responders. 'I think, as a whole, this has the potential to greatly increase our efficiency as a police department,' Medina added. Embattled McKinley County DA asks for emergency funding to keep her office running He explained that more than 50 drones will be housed in what APD is calling 'hives,' strategically located on the roofs of seven to nine buildings throughout Albuquerque. Trained operators at the Department's Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) will dispatch a drone from the closest hive to a potential crime scene. APD isn't disclosing the exact locations of the hives. However, the department allowed KRQE Investigates to get a close-up look at how the program will work. Fouad Cherair, the RTCC's Manager for Live Operations and a drone pilot, explained he can inspect the drone and assess flying conditions in under two minutes before takeoff. He can launch the drone with the click of a button, allowing it to fly autonomously, or take manual control using a mouse and keyboard. 'And while I'm doing this, I'm also maintaining visual of the airspace, along with ensuring that our GPS and connection signals look good,' he shared. The drone is equipped with a camera, and APD says responding officers will be able to view the live feed on their phones or patrol car computers. Cherair added that the pilot will also relay what they observe to officers en route. 'We're trying to take away response times from patrol officers by implementing drones first,' Cherair explained. 'So getting to the scene quick, assessing it, looking for victims, and helping with the coordination of resources.' Chief Medina added that the drone's quick deployment will also allow the department to determine whether an officer needs to respond. 'There is a suspicious car parked at the park. There's possibly a stolen car here. And we will now be able to launch our drone, saving officers for the time being to just verify that there is a car still there,' he explained. Knowing the technology could sound to some like 'Big Brother,' KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret asked the Chief when the drones will be used. 'They're not just going to be freely patrolling, looking for stuff,' he said. 'It's going to be referenced a dispatched call for service that we're already going to anyway.' And when it comes to gun crimes, Chief Medina said the drones will be linked with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, prompting a deployment to where shots are fired within 90 seconds, even if no 911 call is made. 'A lot of times, you know that it's going to take more than a minute and a half for an incident to fully develop — shots to be fired or a shooting or a homicide to occur. People get back to their cars, start leaving,' he explained. 'So we're hoping that it's going to be able to enable us to take people more quickly into custody in some of these cases.' The information the drone provides will also be key, Chief Medina said, to helping victims quicker. 'Officers may be staging blocks away, waiting for other resources to get there, and the offender is gone, and the victim could use medical services. And now our officers will be able to have the information,' the Chief explained. Pierret asked whether Chief Medina expects the new drone program to help prevent officer-involved shootings. 'Oh, potentially yes,' he said. 'As opposed to officers going into the backyard and looking and finding the individual, surprisingly, and not having that chance to de-escalate and negotiate with the individual. It definitely has the potential to reduce our officer-involved shootings and uses of force.' The footage recorded will be used as evidence, but APD said areas the drone passes over, such as homes and businesses, on the way to a potential scene will not be captured. The drones fly with the camera pointed straight ahead, so APD claimed it cannot encroach on someone's privacy below. 'We're going to be careful. We're going to be respectful,' Medina added. 'So I think that it is a win-win for our community, and I think our community deserves it.' This new program does not replace APD's two helicopters. The Chief said those are still needed for longer-range pursuits. The department plans to continue using its other line-of-sight drones, too, because the Chief shared they have different capabilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Woman killed in officer-involved shooting with Albuquerque police
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A woman was shot and killed Tuesday morning in an officer-involved shooting with the Albuquerque Police Department. Tuesday evening, APD identified the woman as Desiree Herrera. APD said the shooting happened at the Hotel Parq Central. APD Police Chief Harold Medina said around 4:30 a.m., a call came in from the hotel about a woman in a mental health crisis that they would like to be removed and trespassed from the hotel. Medina said the call was a priority two call, and placed in a cue while several other calls were holding. Chief Medina said around 5:15 a.m., the call was updated that Herrera had broken some items and armed herself with a piece of glass. Officers were sent to the hotel, and as they were en route, a security supervisor showed up at the hotel. Medina said Herrera was able to disarm the security guard and take the guard's gun. When officers arrived on scene, they observed that shots had already been fired into an SUV in the parking lot, and Herrera was waving the firearm and discharged it. Medina said officers gave Herrera commands to drop the firearm. At one point, a round was fired in the direction of officers and struck an SUV in front of them. Officers returned fire, and Herrera was killed on scene. No officers were injured. The Multi-Agency Task Force is investigating the shooting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police involved in shooting in southwest Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One person is injured following an officer-involved shooting in southwest Albuquerque Friday afternoon. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, a male was shot by an officer near the 2100 block of South Branch Dr., which is north of Gibson Blvd. and east of Messina Dr., S.W. APD said they were called around 12:30 p.m. to the home due to a fight. When they arrived, a 21-year-old man walked out with a gun, possibly a BB gun or airsoft, and aimed it at officers. At least one officer fired their gun, hitting the man. 'We are learning the individual does have a mental history that goes back. Apparently, there was some kind of commotion today within the home, and he's the one who actually called officers. He was breathing when he was transported to the hospital, and is currently at the hospital going through surgery,' said Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina. No officers were injured during the shooting. No other information about the shooting has been released at this time. KRQE News 13 will provide updates as more information is released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Albuquerque police shooting, Teen arrested, Warmer and stormier, New Mexico drought, Badger study
Treasurer of NM Democratic party abruptly resigns 5 weeks into the job NM lawmakers learn about the potential impact of federal funding cuts to SNAP NMSP release video of fatal police shooting in Truth or Consequences Traffic to be delayed for several days on portion of Eubank in Albuquerque Juvenile sentenced for 2024 vehicular homicide in Española Teen convicted of shooting 15-year-old during fight over gun Scientists ID new prehistoric sea creature: Nearly 40 feet long with 'crushing' teeth [1] Police canine, suspect killed in officer-involved shooting near Sunport – An investigation is underway after an officer-involved shooting near the Albuquerque Sunport left a suspect dead. Chief Harold Medina says detectives tracked a suspect to the Comfort Inn near the Sunport around 10 p.m. Wednesday. Police say the suspect tried leaving the hotel, but ran back inside when he saw them. APD says the suspect jumped out of a second story window and a police canine assisted in stopping him. [2] 4th teen arrested for role in hitting and killing man riding his bike to work – APD have arrested a fourth teen for his alleged role in the 2024 murder of Scott Habermehl, who was riding his bike to work. Investigators say Elijah Engelking, who was 15 at the time, was in the stolen car accused of intentionally crashing into Habermehl. APD previously arrested 13-year-old Johnathan Overbay, 15-year-old William Garcia, and 11-year-old Messiah Hayes in the case. APD says several people told detectives they recognized the sound of his voice when the video was posted on social media. Detectives determined Engelking also shared details about the crash and the investigation with friends through social media conversations. [3] Hotter temperatures around the state and stronger storms form in eastern NM – Isolated rain and thunderstorm chances continue in parts of New Mexico through this weekend. The highest chances for rain will be across the central mountain chain and in eastern New Mexico. Temperatures across New Mexico will also continue to heat up through Friday, when high temperatures will be well-above average statewide. The heat will stick around for most of the state through Sunday. [4] Governor declares state of emergency due to severe drought in New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency due to severe drought in New Mexico. The order was issued last Thursday and assembles a task force to coordinate a response, including helping communities conserve water, and share resources to other local and tribal governments. The task force also has until July 31 to recommend short-term measures to reduce wildfire risk. [5] ABQ Parks and Rec conducting badger study – The Albuquerque Department of Parks and Recreation is enlisting the help of residents for a new study. Anyone who's captured a photo of a badger in the area is asked to send it in. They ask that all photos clearly show the animal's head stripe, which functions like its fingerprint. They have not released the exact details of the study, but say the photos will help shape future land management. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Police canine, suspect killed in officer-involved shooting near Albuquerque Sunport
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The multi-task agency is investigating an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect Wednesday night. Story continues below Entertainment: First-of-its-kind indoor pickleball facility coming to northeast Albuquerque Community: Albuquerque church leaning on faith after 2 members killed by their son Environment: What should New Mexicans do if they come across a raccoon? The Albuquerque Police Department says the shooting happened at the Comfort Inn Albuquerque Airport. APD Chief Harold Medina says police interactions with the suspect began Tuesday, when officers were called to recover stolen tools from a trailer in southeast Albuquerque. Chief Medina says the SWAT team tried to barricade the suspect, but he escaped. Then, Wednesday, police tracked the suspect to the hotel near the airport around 10 p.m. APD says the suspect tried leaving the hotel, but ran back inside when he saw police. The suspect then jumped out of a second story window. Chief Medina says a police canine was released and was successful in stopping the individual. Medina said as officers approached, the suspect produced a gun and shots were fired. The suspect was killed on scene and the police canine was shot and killed in the exchange. No other information has been released. This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
