It’s a problem that is proving difficult to solve, and it’s getting more dangerous by the moment.
Andrew Aguilar, 33, was shot to death at Coronado Park in the early morning hours of June 14, continuing a downward spiral of existence for the homeless encamped there; a recent KOB 4 news report said. Drugs and crime have been persistent and dangerous problems, and there are no solutions to the growing unrest.
“Handguns, kitchen knives, hammers, screwdrivers, pieces of steel, rocks in socks, sticks of all kinds sharpened at the end to make a point,” Ralph DiPalma told KOB 4 when explaining what he’s seen at the park. “There’s no doubt, in our mind, the police are completely aware of the situation. However, we have no doubt their hands are tied.”
The Wells Park Neighborhood Association told KOB 4 that three people were killed at Coronado Park in 2020. Albuquerque Police are focusing on drug trafficking in the area, such as near the St. Martin’s Day Shelter.
“We see traffickers who are coming from other parts of the city or even outside the city and preying on some of the individuals at the park,” Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson, told KOB 4.
DiPalma said there are victims who are never acknowledged.
“The people who are really homeless have been continually in and in increasing danger from those out-of-control, repeat offender, tent-city, homeless people,” he told KOB 4. “This is getting worse and this is getting worse and they refuse to take us seriously. There’s going to be more homicides.”
Mayor Tim Keller is pressuring the Albuquerque City Council to pass a zoning change next week that would pave the way for the Gateway Center.
“What everyone needs is the city council to vote on the zoning changes to allow us to open the Gateway Center,” Keller told KOB 4. “If you want Coronado Park to close, get city council to get me five votes to pass that – otherwise this problem will not get any better.”
