🌱 Police Pay Raises + Rape Kit Backlog Lawsuit

Happy Tuesday, Albuquerque! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 64 Low: 36.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Albuquerque today:

1. Albuquerque Police officers have a new collective bargaining agreement through their union after negotiating with the city for two years. Opponents of the pay increases argue that the increases are not tied to increased accountability measures. The new bargaining agreement grants a $2.32 per hour raise for the fiscal year 2022 and $3.89 more in the fiscal year 2023. (KRQE News 13)
2. A woman is suing the City of Albuquerque over its backlog of untested rape kits. The woman is alleging that her rape kit went untested for nearly a decade which allowed her rapist to freely attack other women while he was not behind bars. A spokeswoman with the police department reports that a 2018 executive order signed by Mayor Keller created a plan to clear the rape kit backlog. (U.S. News & World Report)
3. Prosecutors are working to keep Marcos Trejo, 14, behind bars after he allegedly killed his classmate Andrew Burson, 16. The incident occurred at West Mesa High School after Burson confronted Trejo about a stolen firearm. Reports allege Trejo shot a gun five times, eventually hitting Burson in the chest. (KRQE News 13)

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Today in Albuquerque:

• EA Appreciation Day At Manzano (4:30 AM)
• Spring Blood Drive At Manzano (7:00 AM)
• Floral Design Class At The Albuquerque Garden Center (6:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• If you need to catch up on Albuquerque news, click the link to see news from every city department. (Instagram)
• An open house is being held by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency on Mar. 10 at 5:30 p.m. There will be free food at the event. (Instagram)
• The Albuquerque Police Department shared the results from its Saturday night sobriety checkpoint near Lomas Blvd NE. They stopped 204 vehicles and made four DWI arrests. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday! I'll see you soon.

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.