The crime rate has been rising in Albuquerque over the past several years, with CBS News reporting that it is the ninth most dangerous city in the United States. Byron Powdrell is running for city council in District 9 and this is one of the issues he plans to address if elected.
“Everything is circled around crime,” Powdrell said. “Our quality of life is circled around crime. Our education is around crime. Our lack of businesses is around crime. Everything circles crime. So crime is going to be the primary subject not just for District 9, but the entire city.”
Powdrell said he ran four years ago because he didn’t like how the district was represented. He said incumbent Don Harris, who is not running again, “totally checked out” the past few years and has even said he would wait for the next councilman to handle the crime issue.
CBS News reported that the violent crime rate is at 1,352 per 100,000 residents with 84 homicides in 2019. Rachel Donavan wrote in a New Mexico Sun op-ed that many people live in fear of being the next victim. She criticized Mayor Tim Keller, saying crime has gone up 24% in four years. The Neighborhood Scout released a report that Albuquerque has 71crimes for every 1,000 citizens, she added.
Despite being on several top 10 lists relating to crime, Powdrell said there are many amazing things about the city of Albuquerque. He said those who come to the city see quickly just how beautiful it is.
“Through the gutters and the stink and the homicides, we still have some of the best sunsets in the country," Powdrell said. "We have cuisine. We have venues. We’ve got some of the best in the country. And, we are the second Hollywood at this point.”
One way to combat the crime issue, he said, is to gain retention on the police force with better pay. Powdrell said the problem is that they are losing the two- to seven-year officers. He also said those who have been with the department for 18 years should receive a retention bonus.
There is also a rise in homelessness in Albuquerque, with Donavan saying homeless numbers have exploded. Powdrell said this is partly because other cities and states are sending homeless people there. Many, he said, do not want to be bothered. He said there are a number of people who have drug problems and mental health issues, and the key to alleviating this is outreach.
“For me, I would hurt funding for some of these organizations for not doing outreach,” said Powdrell. “If I, as a candidate, can go on the street and talk to these people and ask these questions, there is no reason why someone from an organization that is paid to do it can’t do it themselves."
Powdrell is a lifelong resident of Albuquerque and is in broadcasting at the station called 99.9 The Beat, with call letters KMGG. He left commercial radio in 2000 and applied for a license for his own station in 2013. The station got on the air on July 4, 2014, and has been running ever since.
Also running for District 9 city council is Rob Grilley Jr. and Renee Grout. The election is Tuesday, and for more information log onto nmvote.org or berncovotes.org.
