Homeless encampments have been a source of controversy for cities in recent years — including Albuquerque — and are now an issue before the U.S. Supreme Court. On April 22, the court heard oral arguments in a case out of Grants Pass, Oregon, that would decide whether banning homeless people from sleeping outside when shelter […]
Elise Kaplan
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Law enforcement wants a crime-reporting app on student devices. They say they’ve gotten nowhere with APS.
Law enforcement officials want Albuquerque Public Schools to install a crime-reporting app on devices issued to students — but two agencies say the district has not been receptive to the idea. “This option would make it easier for students to report crimes or dangerous situations,” said Jeffery Barnard, interim commander of the investigative services division […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Commissioners send message against reusing fracking wastewater
Pleas to save the groundwater from oil and gas wastewater flooded Tuesday night’s Bernalillo County Commission meeting. Public Pleas More than a dozen public comments were in support of a resolution to oppose a proposed rule change that would change the parameter of how all fracked wastewater can be reused. The rule change proposed by […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
APD got a tip in 2022 that DWI officers were being paid to get cases dismissed. Its review did not find wrongdoing.
In December 2022, the acting sergeant of the Albuquerque Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit got a tip about officers in the DWI unit getting paid “to get a case dismissed.” The sergeant started gathering information but — after looking through officer activity — didn’t turn up any evidence, according to a five-page “intel file” that […]
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Barelas Park event to promote city summer programs
Spring has sprung, and city leaders want community members to come out and celebrate the return of warm weather while learning about the city’s summer programs for kids. Saturday’s Spring into Summer event will include music, food trucks, games and animals in need of homes. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Commissioners try to revisit controversial process to hire county manager
If at first you don’t succeed — try again. Bernalillo County Commissioners Steven Michael Quezada and Walt Benson will try to get a controversial resolution on the agenda for the commission’s Tuesday meeting to allow it to revisit the process to hire a county manager. The two commissioners will need some help from their colleagues […]
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City seeks input on food ordinance changes
Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department is seeking the public’s input as the city prepares to update its food service and retail ordinance. Stakeholders and interested parties have the opportunity to review the draft ordinance and accompanying rules document and provide input. The updated ordinance will replace the city’s existing food safety laws ordinances. The new ordinance […]
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Business licenses, permit fees would rise under mayor’s proposed budget
Under Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed $1.37 billion budget, the cost of a business license and some building permits would increase. The proposed increases are estimated to generate about $6 million in revenue from the city’s Planning Department, which oversees permitting, development reviews, code enforcement and more. The proposed fiscal year 2025 budget for the […]
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What to know: ABQ’s first pallet home campus
The city unveiled plans Monday to develop a transitional recovery housing campus with 50 pallet homes, but with just a handful of specifics. Since then, we’ve heard from City Desk ABQ readers wanting to know more so we tracked down some answers. The project — the first of its kind in Albuquerque — was allocated […]
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The mayor said the city needs new 5,000 homes. His budget proposes less than 200.
In 2022, Mayor Tim Keller announced his goal to have 5,000 housing units across the city by 2025 to help with the city’s affordable “housing crisis.” So far 165 affordable units have been built and the next fiscal year’s budget includes funding for 195 housing units — still far short of the goal. Katie Simon, […]