Streets unsafe, thanks to Berry, Eden

ON AUG. 12 in Downtown Albuquerque, an armed, violent homeless man held up my partner at gunpoint while he was walking the dog. The police failed to apprehend the man, even though we were able to point him out to officers. I hold both Mayor (Richard) Berry and Chief Gorden) Eden personally responsible for this violent crime. They fail to protect residents who live Downtown because the political climate has rendered them impotent. They have been repeatedly told that the streets are unsafe and they repeatedly chose to do nothing.

I am a behavioral health professional. I know better than most that not every homeless person is violent or an addict. I also know that violent addicts have taken over our parks and have taken over our streets. They are so well-entrenched in our city they now feel comfortable approaching us in front of our houses and saying, “Hey bro, you are going to have to turn out your pockets or I am going to shoot you.”

Imagine this happening to your loved one? Imagine it because — no matter how far you move away from Downtown — these same violent, homeless addicts are coming to your streets. How do I know this? Berry and Eden can’t be trusted to protect us. They are too busy protecting their own careers.

Those of you offended by my letter: if you want to decry the police, then you can pay the consequences of knowing that, when you are in danger, no one will be there to protect you. It is no longer safe to walk the dog after sunset. Welcome to Albuquerque.

NATHAN FOX Albuquerque