Mayor Tim Keller recently revealed a plan to curb crime in Albuquerque’s downtown area.
Downtown TEAM (Targeted Enforcement and Active Monitoring) is a new crime initiative, according to a news release from the city of Albuquerque. Business owners can contribute to a fund used to increase the number of police officers downtown.
Carla Sonntag, president of the New Mexico Business Coalition, said it is ridiculous that Albuquerque businesses should feel obliged to donate additional funds to a special program in exchange for the public services their tax dollars already pay for.
"The Albuquerque police chief has told officers not to enforce laws regarding acts by the homeless that endanger other citizens," Sonntag told New Mexico Sun. "This includes impeding traffic, camping, and using public lands and right of ways as their trash bin and toilet. In addition, the City Council has voted to give $250,000 of taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood.
"It's ridiculous that the mayor is now asking businesses to foot the bill for police protection. This is what their tax dollars were supposed to be used for – not directing the police to turn a blind eye to the issues we are facing and then donate our tax dollars to a special interest group."
Representatives from some of Albuquerque’s downtown businesses are skeptical of Keller's pitch to have them pay for more police manpower.
"For us to pay the government to protect us, I don't think that it's right," Jessica Zubia of Katrina's Ice Cream Shop said, as reported by KOAT-TV.
Former Albuquerque City Councilor and attorney Pete Dinelli said in a recent opinion piece published by New Mexico Sun that the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has the resources it needs but lacks appropriate personnel.
“APD is awash with unused funding that is dedicated to funding sworn police positions never filled … Yet, Keller and [APD Chief Harold] Medina seek private funding, telling downtown business owners they need to take 'control of their own future' by paying for police protection," Dinelli said in the op-ed.
AP News reported in January about Albuquerque’s trouble with crime. The city recorded 117 killings in 2021, "shattering its previous homicide record by 46%." Albuquerque witnessed 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people in the first three quarters of 2021, placing it among the top 10 most violent cities with a population over 100,000.