Abq. mayoral race focuses on crime

ALBUQUERQUE — Growing crime rates are taking center stage in Albuquerque’s mayoral race as candidates filed their declarations to run for the top leadership spot Tuesday.

After filing his paperwork, State Auditor Tim Keller stood on the steps outside the city clerk’s office and rolled out his plan for tackling the rash of shootings, vehicle thefts, breakins and other violence that has plagued the beleaguered police force for some time now.

Keller, a former state senator, wants new leadership in the police department and to develop a career path so more people will be interested in becoming officers.

He’s also proposing a drug treatment center and other programs to address homelessness, poverty and substance abuse issues that often dovetail with crime.

“It’s the No. 1 issue facing Albuquerque right now and it’s unfortunate, but crime is absolutely out of control,” said Keller, a Democrat. “We need to deal with these problems head on.”

The city developed a plan last year to combat the growing crime problem and created a team of civilians to help officers with investigations into burglaries, robberies and thefts.

Just last month, current Mayor Richard Berry and Police Chief Gorden Eden rolled out a specific plan for addressing crime and safety concerns downtown after more than a dozen businesses, nonprofit groups and neighborhood associations complained.

“Our businesses are being negatively impacted by the increase in criminal activity that we see and experience everyday, and the situation has simply become intolerable for many of our business owners,” they stated in a letter.

Police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza said Tuesday that efforts over the last month are paying off. More than 300 business checks have been done, officers have made contact with more than 1,500 people and hundreds of verbal warnings have been issued.

Nearly three dozen people have been arrested on felony charges and another 19 for misdemeanors as part of the downtown operation, she said.