On May 21, Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller provided his "State of the City" address.
Keller discussed his plans for the future of the city, housing, increasing law enforcement numbers and other issues that directly affect the people of Albuquerque. Keller remained optimistic about outcomes.
"Unlike most cities around us that are overextended or they're being swallowed up by their problems, our story is still in progress," he said, according to KOAT Action News.
Keller says that issues like homelessness and violent crime are plaguing cities in the Southwest, but he asserts that Albuquerque is finding new methods to combat them.
Also part of the address was Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recruitment. Keller said there has been a 37% increase in cadet salaries and 92% compliance with APD and their updated policies.
“Because of this, we are expecting the largest cadet class we've had in years in August," he told KOAT Action News.
Keller also discussed the issues of homelessness and housing. Citizens have expressed questions about if and when the mayor will implement some of the proposed initiatives and ordinances moving forward. Albuquerque resident Patricia Willson argued that part of the reason housing is an issue is due to bigger companies occupying space in the city.
“There are large corporate companies, private equity companies, that own and control thousands of rental units,” she told the mayor.
Wilson feels that the mayor is managing important issues in Albuquerque but argues there should be more housing opportunities for people right now.
“Those rent increases are what lead people to have to move, then they're in their car, then they're homeless," she said, according to KOAT Action News.
Keller said it's only a matter of time before Albuquerque begins seeing the progress people are demanding.
“We are going to make this city the best place in America for families," he told KOAT Action News.