Those experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque often naturally congregate near areas where food, clothing, transit, medical care and addiction services are available. Two of the most highly trafficked areas are in Downtown and across the city’s International District.
But on the city’s Westside, the stretch of Coors Boulevard from Central Avenue to I-40, has emerged as an increasingly busy area for those who are living on the streets. Criminal activity has also presented challenges for law enforcement and city officials.
“I need more support on the Westside from [Albuquerque Community Safety],” City Councilor Louie Sanchez, whose district includes much of Coors and areas west of it, said.
Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) teams respond to calls involving behavioral health, substance use and other noncriminal and nonmedical issues. More often than not, the calls involve those experiencing homelessness.
The highest concentration of calls to ACS in June came from Downtown and the International District — 710 and 843 calls, respectively. Sanchez’s Westside district received 192 calls, according to an ACS report. Most calls for ACS come through 911 and then the city’s 311 community contact center.
Sanchez said the most troubling spot is at the intersection of Central and Coors, near the West Central Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) bus station. He said other areas of concern include Coors at I-40, Coors at Iliff Road and Central at Atrisco Drive.
“I’m seeing unhoused people in narcotics trafficking and usage and prostitution,” Sanchez said. “This has been the largest amount of individuals walking up and down the streets committing criminal activity that I’ve seen in a while. They’re not all necessarily homeless, some are street criminals.”
Sanchez said the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) responds to his calls, but he doesn’t see many arrests.
“Police are understaffed,” he said.
While the city’s Westside Emergency Housing Center is about 13 miles from Central and Coors, city shuttle service pickup points are only located in Downtown and the International District.
City Councilor Joaquín Baca agreed with Sanchez that APD is understaffed and added that ACS is also “overburdened.” His district covers Downtown, including a small area west of the Rio Grande that borders Coors between Central and I-40.
“It’s an area popping up as having issues,” he said.
Baca said APD has been asked to target the area more often.
“There’s no part of the city that’s completely untouched by homelessness,” he said. “I see the unhoused everywhere.”
Baca said providing free buses up and down Central has had positive and negative effects.
“I’m for the free buses, but it could have been done in a way that provided more security and served families a little better — those who are not the unhoused or [aren’t] struggling with mental illness,” Baca said. “But it’s the summer months and more people are hanging out.”
Neighborhoods respond
The Alamosa Neighborhood borders the Central and Coors intersection, but those who live there say the residential areas stay relatively quiet.
“As far as the neighborhood itself, we don’t really have people bothering residents,” Jerry Gallegos, secretary/treasurer of the Alamosa Neighborhood Association, said. “They don’t really congregate or form camps. On trash day they may look in bins for cans, but aren’t really a nuisance.”
Gallegos, who’s lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, said the Central and Coors intersection does attract some who are experiencing homelessness.
“There’s a Walgreens and grocery store, the bus stop. There are a few low income properties,” he said. “I don’t like to belittle the homeless people; I feel sorry for them.”
Gallegos is a former community liaison for the West Central Community Development Group. He said he used to hear regularly from Westside residents and business owners who had problems with people sleeping in front yards or in front of retail storefronts.
“It’s gotten worse. Not just in Albuquerque. It’s an epidemic,” he said. “Some want help and others don’t. Some live that kind of life.”
‘I know I could get a job’
A man on the Westside identifying himself as Indio said he’s been homeless since he was 17. On July 8, he was camped under a tree near Central and Airport Drive, just west of Coors. He said he prefers being homeless on the Westside, as opposed to other areas, because it’s an area he knows well and there are fewer problems.
Even though there aren’t as many services, Indio said people drive around the Westside and hand out food and other supplies. He said APD comes at least once a week and asks him to move along. There have been times his property has been confiscated and discarded, he said.
At the same site, a woman identifying herself as Divine, said she’d rather camp at Central and Airport than stay at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. She said the shelter is a more stressful environment.
Divine said she’s ready to hold down a job, but since she doesn’t have a regular place to shower and wash clothes, her appearance limits her employment opportunities.
“If I could get a hotel room for a month, I know I could get a job,” she said.
More young people, women
Dee Silva has been on the West Mesa Neighborhood Association board for almost two decades and said residents report problems occurring more regularly along the Coors stretch.
“It is horrible. The corner of Coors and Central is absurd. The things you see on that corner are unreal,” she said.
Silva said while APD has upped its presence and the city tries to keep the bus stops clean, it’s an “overwhelming situation.”
“APD reports what they see to [the neighborhood association],” she said. “People having intercourse; shooting up. They’ve seen drug deals going on.”
Silva said there are encampments in the neighborhood near Lavaland Park.
“The city confined the area so they can’t get into the park,” she said. “They’ve shooed them away, but they’re making little camps again. People report it; it’s what we recommend.”
Silva said she’s lived in Albuquerque since 1969 and she sees more young people and women living on the streets than ever before.
“I collect blankets all year long, and in the wintertime I drive to all the places and hand out blankets and make up lunch bags and hygiene bags,” Silva said. “It’d help if every individual in Albuquerque tried to help a little bit.”