An increased presence of Santa Fe police in the Railyard and Plaza Districts is having a positive impact on business owners concerned about crime and illegal camping.
“We’ve already made multiple arrests, as well as citied multiple people for drinking out in public and some illegal camping,” Santa Fe Police Department Captain Anthony Tapia told KRQE.
“Operation Santa Fe Junction,” added two supplemental officers to patrol the popular destinations. The action came after complaints from area business owners concerned about break-ins and a growing homeless population. Those challenges were having a negative impact on the long-term future of their businesses.
Alfonz Viszolay, co-owner of Nuckolls Brewing, told KRQE that he has endured multiple break-ins at his establishment. The last break-in occurred about a week ago and will cost hundreds of dollars in damages and lost money, merchandise and equipment.
“We had three trucks, Toyotas, and had our catalytic converter stolen,” Viszolay said, “and they cost around $1,500 now to replace it.”
A growing homeless population is also an issue with many camping illegally on his property.
“They sleep; they defecate,” Viszolay said. “Me picking up toilet paper; some of their clothes left over here.”
Santa Police confirmed that there was trash and other items left behind by those that were camping outside of the businesses.
SFPD also said Operation Santa Junction will continue for 30 days and give the department a chance to build relationships in the community while it fights crime and deters illegal camps.
The Railyard is touted as a new urban space to celebrate arts, recreation, landscape, history, and the environment. Some of the more than 50 acres include studios, galleries, museums, retail and restaurant spaces, and a state-of-the-art 12-screen movie theatre.
The mission of the Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation, a non-profit responsible for the implementation of the Railyard Master Plan, is to transform the historic Railyard into a "sustainable and inviting public space for recreational, social, artistic, and commercial activities in a way that embraces Santa Fe’s cultural and historical significance and upholds the community’s vision."
