Residents call for investment in safety
Having attended a meeting last month at Salazar Elementary with Alma Castro, District 1’s new city councilor, I am writing to shed light on the urgent issues plaguing our community, particularly regarding public safety and homelessness.
The turnout at the meeting was overwhelming, with concerned residents packing the venue to capacity. It was disheartening to hear accounts from neighbors who had diligently reported hundreds of incidents of drug activity, arson, theft, burglary and gun threats to both the police and constituent services. Shockingly, one neighborhood had reported many times about one suspected drug house, but only six complaints were formally recorded. In many instances, the response from law enforcement was often delayed, with instances of officers failing to show up altogether.
Additionally, the prevalence of latenight thefts, as documented on platforms like Nextdoor, underscores the brazenness of criminals who operate with impunity, disregarding surveillance cameras and preying on our sense of security.
The issue of homelessness looms large, with the Interfaith Community Shelter at Pete’s Place offering a meager 40 beds for the hundreds of unhoused individuals in our city. Furthermore, the recent transportation of panhandlers from Albuquerque to Santa Fe adds to the strain on our resources and compounds the challenges faced by our community. One meeting attendee reported following a van of the panhandlers all the way from Santa Fe to Albuquerque.
As the city is expecting to spend an additional $30 million on top of already budgeted funds, it is imperative our City Council and mayor prioritize solutions that benefit all residents, not just those in downtown tourist areas. I implore our elected officials to conduct well-publicized meetings that solicit input from the community on how best to allocate these funds to address pressing issues such as public safety, drug addiction and homelessness.
Moreover, I urge the City Council and the mayor to consider solutions that specifically cater to the needs of working people. One such proposal could involve the hiring of additional police officers, including providing housing for them in the city as part of competitive salaries. By investing in law enforcement and providing them with adequate support, we can bolster efforts to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods. I also suggest the city publish clear guidelines about getting dangerous properties declared nuisances.
It is my sincere hope that our elected officials heed the voices of their constituents and take decisive action to address these critical issues. Together, we can work toward building a safer, more equitable community that serves the needs of all residents.