Albuquerque residents who support District 9 City Council candidate Renee Grout cite her intent to combat the crime and homelessness they say is prevalent across the city. 

Karen Espinosa, an 18-year resident, says she is supporting Grout because she believes she will tackle these issues head on to contribute to a safe, clean and well-run city.  

“Police officers are quitting or retiring in droves, and we have had over 100 homicides this year. There are homeless encampments cropping up everywhere, including the sides of the roads, under the overpasses and parks like Los Altos,” Espinosa told the New Mexico Sun.

Grout, a Republican, is facing off against Democrat Rob Grilley in the City Council runoff election. Early voting began Nov. 16 and runs through Dec. 4.

In a Dec. 1 report by the New Mexico Sun, Grout emphasized the need to get homeless residents into permanent housing, offering resources to those homeless who will accept help and enforcing laws against camping in public areas. 

“As a small businesswoman, wife, mother, grandmother and as a member of this community for 43 years, she sees the decline of Albuquerque clearly like the rest of us who are paying attention,” Espinosa said. “She knows that taxpaying citizens deserve a clean, safe, well-run city, and that is not what we are getting. I applaud her courage for taking a stand.”

According to a 2020 report by CBS News, at that time, Albuquerque was ranked as the 9th-most dangerous city in the United States with a violent crime rate of 1,352 per 100,000 and 84 homicides in 2019.

Grout has gained the endorsement of the Albuquerque Police Department, as she is a strong advocate of giving police the tools needed to enforce all laws in the city. 

There is also a run-off for the District 7 council seat between Republican Lori Robertson and Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn.

Election Day for the District 7 and District 9 City Council runoff elections is Dec. 7. For more information on the election and where to vote, visit bernco.gov.