Why This Matters
Albuquerque deserves public spaces that are safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone—families, workers, shoppers, seniors, and business owners alike. The Enhanced Service and Safety Zone Ordinance (O-26-14) is a practical, targeted step toward that goal.
It is important to note: This doesn’t ban homelessness or poverty. Instead, it creates specially designated zones in high-problem commercial areas where blocking sidewalks (in violation of ADA standards) can be addressed—only after a warning—while ramping up police presence, sanitation, outreach, and services exactly where they’re needed most.
The Reality on Our Streets
For too long, chronic issues in Downtown and along Central Avenue have made these areas feel off-limits to the public. Business owners and residents are facing:
- Blocked Access: People sleeping or camping directly in front of storefronts, blocking entrances and sidewalks.
- Public Health Hazards: Daily encounters with public defecation, needles, vandalism, broken windows, and theft.
- Safety Concerns: Open drug use that deters customers and employees.
The Economic Toll:
Businesses report customers refusing to visit because they don’t feel safe walking past encampments. Families avoid downtown outings, and workers—especially women—frequently require escorts to their cars. This cycle of lost foot traffic and declining revenue hurts the city’s tax base, which is exactly what funds the shelters and services the city provides. From shuttered pharmacies to struggling longtime establishments, Albuquerque’s heart is at risk.
This Is Not “Criminalizing Poverty”
Council members supporting the ordinance have been clear: this is a safety and business recovery bill, not an anti-homeless one. The city already invests millions in housing, behavioral health, addiction treatment, and outreach.
This measure simply adds focused enforcement and services in the most critical spots, specifically where some individuals repeatedly refuse help while creating ongoing safety issues for the broader community.
TAKE ACTION: Sign the Petition
We are calling on Mayor Keller to sign O-26-14 without delay. We must approve the first Enhanced Service and Safety Zones to restore order, cleanliness, and confidence in our public spaces.
Click Here to Sign the Petition to Support O-26-14
Give businesses and residents a real chance to thrive again while continuing compassionate outreach. A safe, vibrant Downtown and Central Avenue benefit everyone—including those struggling with homelessness—by creating a community that has the capacity and the will to help.
Reclaim our streets. Support our businesses. Restore Albuquerque’s heart.