DAILY LOBO new mexico
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April 6, 2012
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The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
APD increases security measures downtown by Svetlana Ozden and Luke Holmen news@dailylobo.com
On weekends, Albuquerque police have tripled presence downtown and now close more sections of the area to cars in an effort to increase safety. Last month, the Albuquerque Police Department began blocking the streets off to all cars other than taxis on Friday and Saturday nights at 10 p.m. APD Public Information Officer Tasia Martinez said the plan decreases the number of drivers and triples the number of police officers downtown on weekends and holidays. She said that in the past, three to four officers patrolled the downtown area, but the number has increased to 10 to 12 officers and includes additional officers from the Horse Mounted Unit and the Gang Division. “The number varies based on the night,” she said. “At any time we could also have K-9 units, undercover, all of that; and that adds to the number that could be there.” Martinez said APD will continue to close Central Avenue from Third Street to Fifth Street and Fourth Street from Gold Avenue to Central Avenue, including access from Fifth Street and Sixth Street. Martinez said the efforts are part of APD’s Downtown Initiative, implemented by Police Chief Ray Schultz in an effort to make downtown a safer area for bar-goers and visitors. “The whole point is to promote peacefulness downtown and keep crime out,” Martinez said. “The focus is in increasing the safety and maintaining a pleasant atmosphere in downtown as a whole.” Martinez said the plan calls for an increased police presence. “There will be an elevated observation post in order to keep a bird’s eye view of potential fights and other problems,” she said. “APD also included the Gang Division in the initiative to assist bar security in the identification of gang members.”
Adria Malcolm / Daily Lobo A taxi-only lane erected by Albuquerque police blocked off access to cars downtown last Friday. APD has tripled the presence of police officers in the downtown area and blocked vehicle access to increase safety. UNM student Kiera Hidalgo, who went downtown last weekend with friends, said the area feels safer. “You don’t have to worry about people driving around drunk and that is really nice,” she said. “The other thing is, there are more cops and it seems like they were better about breaking up fights and keeping scary people from doing anything they shouldn’t.”
But Albuquerque resident Roman Abdullah said the closure has increased the time it takes to get between bars. “Before you could have a friend roll in and just pick you and whoever you are with up and then take you to the next place, or you could go early and try to score a parking spot,” he said. “Parking has always been bad down there, but now that you can’t
park at all; it’s kind of annoying. I may start going to Nob Hill instead where you can get around better.” Martinez said APD set up a taxionly lane to transport bar-goers. “The taxi-only lane will allow visitors easier access to cabs but keep out all other traffic,” she said. She said bartenders and servers are also involved in the safety initiative.
“Bartenders are being asked to promote a safer environment as well,” she said. “They’ve been asked to monitor and not overserve their customers.” Despite the Daily Lobo’s multiple requests for comment from employees at Burt’s Tiki Lounge, the Launchpad, One Up!, Anodyne, Lotus, Blackbird Buvette and Maloney’s Tavern, no one would give comment on the downtown safety initiatives.
Alums create game, give some profits to fight cancer by Avicra Luckey
avicraluckey@gmail.com
Courtesy Photo “Marvin and Mel: Word Rescue” a game created by two former UNM students entertains players with challenging but fun missions. 15 percent of proceeds from the game’s sale in the Apple app store will go to the American Cancer Society.
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Daily Lobo volume 116
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Two former UNM students created an app that has the ability to both entertain and save lives. Brother-sister duo Stephanie Balderrama and Robert Castillo, creators of “Adventures of Marvin and Mel: Word Rescue” are donating 15 percent of net proceeds earned from the game’s sale in the App Store to the American Cancer Society for the first year that it is on sale. In the game, players are either Marvin or Mel, two monkeys who reside in Paradise Zoo, who work to retrieve letters stolen by a thief from around the zoo’s grounds, Castillo said. “Your objective is to avoid the obstacles that are flying at you, while at the same time trying to catch bananas and mangoes,”
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Balderrama said. “Your main objective is to catch the letters within a word given to you in each level.” The team is hoping to get feedback from UNM students today to help improve the game. Students who participate in the survey will be entered in a drawing for their time. The game is on sale in the App Store for 99 cents for an iPhone or iPod Touch, and 1.99 for an iPad. Both Castillo and Balderrama have experience volunteering at hospitals. Castillo, who graduated from UNM last year in December with a degree in chemical engineering, said he had opportunities to do research and volunteer with cancer charities during his time in school. Balderrama volunteered at hospitals driving patients to
appointments. Balderrama graduated from UNM with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She said always wanted to be an animator at Disney, so she enjoyed having the opportunity to create the visuals in the game. “We thought that it was only fitting that the charity we donate to would be something that both she and I had volunteered for,” Castillo said. According to a press release, the game became available in the Apple App Store on March 16. It has been downloaded about 200 times, Castillo said. Balderrama said they began building the game last summer. Balderrama said the game is unique and addictive because of the point system it uses. “Your success within the level
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