Dear Editors and concerned citizens,
I am writing regarding the ongoing sweeps of homeless encampments in Albuquerque. City police and sanitation workers have been, for the past year and a half, gathering en masse at outdoor campsites, terrorizing (and sometimes assaulting) residents and throwing all of their property into trash trucks and hauling it away. These possessions include identification, medications, and other necessities that are imperative for people who want to get OFF the streets. These sweeps are acts of inhumane terror that not only fail to address the root causes of homelessness but also squander valuable civic resources and taxpayer dollars.
The city’s attack on encampments involves an excessive deployment of personnel, vehicles, and equipment. These resources could instead be allocated toward creating sustainable solutions such as Safe Outdoor Spaces.
Furthermore, the ongoing class-action lawsuit filed by unhoused folk in conjunction with the ACLU highlights the unlawful and unconstitutional nature of these sweeps. This is a costly legal battle….one that taxpayers are paying for, and which includes payment to expensive legal representation from Colorado. These expenses could be avoided if we prioritized investing in affordable housing and community support instead of sweeps.
Mayor Keller has publicly stated support for innovative housing initiatives, yet the city’s actions tell a different story.
It’s clear that we need to shift our priorities and invest in comprehensive, affordable housing and supportive services. Not only would this SAVE us money, it would uphold the humanity and rights of all Albuquerque residents.
It’s election season. Call the mayor’s office, your city councilor, and the police/sanitation departments and urge city officials to reconsider their current policies and prioritize humane, sustainable solutions over cruel displacement. Our community’s strength lies in us, we Burquenos; in our humanity, our compassion and our connections to one another.
Submitted by Courtney Angermeier, Nob Hill
