TOP OF MIND

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION Should the Albuquerque City Council approve sanctioned encampments for the city’s unhoused population?

“Our unhoused neighbors are struggling in many ways. Many of us who are housed are not in secure situations. Let us work at housing all. Allowing encampments would be a way to move in that direction as we collectively work toward the goal of housing for all.”

— Enrique Cardiel, Albuquerque

“Absolutely not. Drive west on I-40 as if you are from out of town, and you see how disgusting and trashy either side of the highway looks. You will keep driving on through. People in tents, urinating and defecating, and how they have ruined Los Altos Park. You want more money coming in to support our city? Make us a beautiful destination, not an ugly homeless warehouse. Total failure of government.”

— Jan Moser, Albuquerque

“Yes. And a water tap, outhouses, a mailing address and security cameras. The homeless are a fact of life. The least we can do is give them a semblance of normalcy.”

— William Sarokin, Sandia Park

“Absolutely not. We should not allow encampments. We have too many problems already.”

— Doug Vigil, Albuquerque

“Yes. Our public sector is charged with providing services that are considered essential for the well-being of society. Our houseless population is part of our society; many (are) in need of support fulfilling their basic needs, including mental health. It could create a community for those in desperate need of one.”

— Amanda Baca, Albuquerque

“No. It’s best to let homeless choose who they want to camp with. Leave them alone if they are in a non-public area and not affecting anyone. If they are in a park or along a sidewalk, keep them moving. Maintain the food and shelter programs we already have.”

— Carla Sanchez, Albuquerque

“When there is no affordable apartments, no ordinance for pricegouging, what else can you do?”

— Jesse Arenas, Albuquerque

“Yes. This would give people a chance at having some community and looking out for each other. Garbage pickup and outhouses could be provided and maintained at low cost. Avoids scattered camps in Bosque, on sidewalks and in alleys. Use vacant lots, such as the one pictured for this story.”

— Vicki Dern, Albuquerque

“No. These encampments breed criminal activity, especially drug and alcohol abuse. They also are a magnet for other homeless tents once they reach capacity. Don’t believe it? Just drive by Bernalillo County’s Tiny Homes development on Zuni and look at all the homeless congregating outside the fence. That project is a joke, for what the county spent on that project I could house at least 50 families. The more services, the more incentive there is for homelessness to flourish.” — Frederick W. “Bill” Reed, Albuquerque

“Absolutely not. I know a place where the homeless drug abusers can have shelter, three meals a day and be clothed for free. It’s called prison. Get out of here with free homeless camps. Ruins the beautiful city of Albuquerque.”

— Rafael Aragon Jr., Albuquerque

“This has been a colossal failure wherever tried. There must be a better option. Look at Seattle, Portland and SF. Bad idea.” — TJ Lambert, Sandia Park

“Isn’t it logical to test one safe outdoor space with 40 campsites before allowing five in each district, 45 total? If passed as proposed, it will allow cars, tents, trailers and RVs only 330 feet from single-family residential areas. They will be another Albuquerque invitation to the homeless.”

— Lois Stearns, Albuquerque