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County sheriff's captain describes camera networks, drones and behavioral-health liaison for local response
Summary
Bernalillo County Northwest commander Capt. Santiago Roybal briefed trustees on new camera-registration systems, drones, the air unit and behavioral-health and liaison resources for people experiencing homelessness; he said officers will offer resources before arrest when appropriate.
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Northwest Area Captain Santiago Roybal told the Los Ranchos Board of Trustees on Jan. 21 that a suite of new technologies and specialized units will support local policing, targeted traffic enforcement and welfare checks.
Roybal described systems such as Flock Safety and similar platforms that can register privately owned cameras for investigative use and, where permitted, capture license-plate information to help locate suspect vehicles. "If there's a car that is a black F-150 and it's driving recklessly ... the more cameras we have the better," Roybal said, explaining how deputies can use registered cameras and the county's cameras to follow a vehicle across jurisdictions.
He also described the sheriff's drone and air units for open-space rescues and investigations and a traffic unit that conducts targeted enforcement to reduce speeding. On outreach, Roybal said the sheriff's Office uses a victims liaison and a behavioral-health unit to help people who are unhoused or mentally ill obtain temporary shelter, vouchers and connections to medical care, and that arrest is a last resort when persons refuse resources and break the law.
Trustees asked about placement of cameras; Roybal said the sheriff's Office will not place cameras in the village without permission and that residents can register private cameras via the sheriff's system. He also said deputies will check locations raised during the public comment period and deploy traffic enforcement where warranted.
No formal action was taken; the briefing was provided as an informational presentation and for potential follow-up coordination between county units and village staff.
