Tackling the problem of revamping the city’s housing voucher program is set to be debated at Monday’s Albuquerque City Council meeting. Also on the government table is taking a look at selecting a director of the struggling Civilian Police Oversight Agency.

CPOA Leader

Albuquerque’s police oversight agency has been without a permanent executive director since former director Edward Harness resigned in October 2021 amid controversy, after posting the position he held without asking him to reapply. An interim director was appointed until a permanent replacement is found. 

The Civilian Police Oversight Agency (CPOA) is a group of civilian appointed members who independently investigate cases of complaints and use of force cases. The city of Albuquerque and its police department are required under the 2014 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice after the police department was found to have a pattern and practice of excessive force following a review of a string of officer involved shootings. The make up of the CPOA has undergone several revisions over the last 10 years since the mandate.

There were five applicants for the position that pays about $111,000 to $120,000. The selection panel narrowed them down to three – current Interim Director Ms. Diane McDermott, Mr. Garrett Schaaf and Ms. Mariana Borunda. The selection panel sent the following analysis of the candidates to the city council for their consideration:

McDermott has a bachelor’s degree in psychology/criminology, and a master’s degree in security management. She has been working with the City of Albuquerque since 2006. Her experience includes investigator, lead investigator, and interim director which uniquely provides an opportunity for a seamless transition to the director’s position. 

Schaaf has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and a law degree. He has been working as a supervising investigator with the Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability since 2017. His experience includes supervising investigators, deputy sheriff, legal intern, and cost controller.  

Ms. Borunda has a bachelor’s degree with a major in criminology and minor in military studies, and a master’s degree in psychology. She has been working as a crime scene specialist with the city of Albuquerque since 2019. Her experiences include deputy chief of staff for the Airforce, and recreation director. The panel said they felt Borunda could grow into the position if given the opportunity. 

Give Me Shelter

Albuquerque City Councilors Renée Grout and Nichole Rogers are sponsoring legislation to take a fresh look at the city’s emergency motel voucher program. As City Desk ABQ reported this week, this is the program that is used to give individuals or families a free room for a night or a short stay in emergency situations. 

For those that need short term housing help, the voucher program is considered a lifeline for those who are dealing with homelessness, who are at risk of being evicted or displaced by natural disasters. The vouchers are also used in incidents of domestic violence to provide shelter for victims displaced from their homes. The sponsors say the program has some complicated problems, such as a limited number of participating motels.  And of those participating some are blighted, unsafe, and can become hot spots of criminal activity. In addition, the program needs better oversight, too.

To start, Councilors propose creating an 11-member working group to start looking at possible reforms and updates to the program. As part of its fact finding focus, the group would meet with business owners, motel operators, city residents, and representatives of the agencies issuing vouchers. 

Some possible solutions Councilors are kicking around include both increased enforcement at motels and assistance for motel operators. Grout said some motel operators aren’t aware that the city offers free safety and crime prevention training, for example. She said the city might also consider providing grant assistance for small motel operators to improve safety and cleanliness standards. Both councilors agree that voucher users should be more effectively connected to wrap-around services, like clothing donations, and job, housing and mental health assistance. Further, they say the working group could recommend updates to the city’s 20-year-old overnight lodging ordinance, which the voucher program falls under.

How to participate 
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers, on the basement level of the Albuquerque Government Center. The full council agenda can be found at https://cabq.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx