Public Safety
Advocate for and help implement local and state-level policies and practices that will result in a reduction in crime in Bernalillo County and a tough, strategic, fair, and sophisticated criminal justice system.
Our Core Beliefs:
- High crime impedes economic growth, raising business costs and making it harder to attract employers and workers.
- Those who commit crimes must face swift and certain apprehension and punishment; this is a key deterrent, and in New Mexico, it’s not happening.
- The data-driven differentiation of offenders and deployment of technology in crime-fighting are keys to a more efficient, effective, and fair justice system.
- Recent major changes to New Mexico’s justice system have made it harder to police and prosecute crime; in the end, the criminal element benefits. This includes holding fewer offenders in jail pre-trial, nixing the grand jury as a method to secure most indictments, onerous case processing rules and timelines, and continued DOJ oversight of APD.
- Crime in Albuquerque is substantially driven by drug use, trafficking, addiction, and behavioral health disorders.
The Chamber’s Public Safety Policy Planks:
- Increase the number of police officers and prosecutors in Albuquerque and improve community-based crime-fighting
- Ensure Albuquerque has a well-trained, professional police department; support APD in satisfying the DOJ settlement agreement
- Improve the use of data, analytics, and technology to make policing and prosecution more strategic and intelligence-driven
- Reform criminal justice practices: improve the efficiency of case processing, better address behavioral health challenges, and ensure criminals face swift/certain punishment
Progress and Initiatives
Crack Down on Serious Repeat Offenders
- Support federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors in identifying offenders with warrants who are driving violent crime and drug trafficking – and get them held in jail and off the streets.
Attack Fentanyl Trafficking
- Support legislation increasing penalties for the trafficking of fentanyl, as well as efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl across New Mexico’s southern border.
Pre-Trial Release of Serious Offenders
- Analyze and publish data describing the impact of pre-trial release and the “revolving door” justice system on public safety.
- Push for statutory changes, including the creation of a rebuttable presumption of detention for repeat offenders and those arrested for serious/violent crimes.
Exit DOJ Oversight of APD, Add to Officer Ranks
- Push for a swift resolution to the DOJ’s settlement agreement with APD, with a clear exit timeline.
- Support efforts to recruit more police officers to ABQ, oppose policies that would hinder recruitment.
Crime-Fighting Technology
- Help secure capital funding for more police technology and equipment, support local efforts to tie private security cameras to the Real Time Crime Center – especially in Downtown.
Child Wellbeing and Safety
- Support efforts to improve the investigation and handling of child abuse incidents and the prioritization – in policy and practice – of the safety of a child above all else when placement determinations are made.
TEAM PLAYER: Incoming Chamber Board of Directors member Michael Kueker to serve as interim Lovelace Health System CEO
On June 19, Lovelace Health System announced that Michael Kueker, who currently serves as CEO of Lovelace Medical Group, has been appointed interim CEO of ...
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CHANGING OF LEADERSHIP: Unirac Inc. CEO Peter Lorenz steps up to chair Chamber Board of Directors; Esparza Advertising + Digital CEO Del Esparza completes one-year term
On Thursday, June 26, Del Esparza, Esparza Advertising + Digital CEO, was at the helm of his last meeting as chairman of the Greater Albuquerque ...
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HONORING A COMMUNITY Greater Albuquerque Chamber presents 2025 Chamber and Legislative Awards
Mike Canfield, left, Chamber Membership Development chairman and president and CEO of Valliant Consulting Group, presented the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Public Safety Advocate Award ...
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BUILDING A BETTER CITY: Construction begins on Central overpass as part of Rail Trail, project should last 10 months
On June 16, the city of Albuquerque began construction on the Downtown Central Avenue bridge crossing. It includes the creation of a pedestrian and bike ...
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A HEALTHY COMMUNITY: Lovelace breaks ground on new Urgent & Primary Care facility in Bernalillo
On June 12, Lovelace had a groundbreaking presentation for the new Lovelace Urgent & Primary Care in Bernalillo. “We understand the limited access ...
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‘ALBUQUERQUE IS MAKING A COMEBACK’: Mayor Keller touts city wins to business leaders at Chamber luncheon
On June 17, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce hosted Mayor Tim Keller as he spoke about “Breaking Through in Tough Times” to a crowd ...
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CHAMBER IN THE NEWS: Incoming GACC chair Peter Lorenz featured in ABQ Journal, Santa Fe New Mexican
On June 8, the Albuquerque Journal did a one-on-one interview with Peter Lorenz, incoming Greater Albuquerque of Commerce Board of Directors chair and ...
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NATIONAL GUARD IN ABQ TO SUPPORT APD’S CRIME-FIGHTING EFFORTS
Over the next two weeks, the National Guard will arrive in Albuquerque to work alongside police service aides, freeing up sworn Albuquerque Police Department officers ...
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KEEPING THE MOMENTUM: City allocates opioid settlement funds to Gateway Center projects
On May 28, the City Council and Mayor’s Office signed legislation that allocates $4.5 million from the opioid settlement to fund three Gateway Center projects. ...
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THAT’S A WRAP: Leadership Albuquerque Class of 2025 completes 10-month program
The 2025 Leadership Albuquerque cohort participated in a full day for its last day on May 19. Over four decades the Chamber’s Leadership Albuquerque ...
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Learn more about the Public Safety Initiatives
We invite you to learn more about the public safety initiatives of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and encourage you to contact us with any questions or suggestions you may have.