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.
Albuquerque City Council has New Leadership for the 27th Term
During the first meeting of the new year, the Albuquerque City Council held elections to determine leadership positions for the 27th City Council. The Council ...
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Public Safety Day set for Jan. 21 at the Roundhouse
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Leadership Albuquerque participants learn about public safety and behavioral health efforts during December program day
Leadership Albuquerque dove into Public Safety and Behavioral Health on its program day Dec. 11. District Attorney Sam Bregman presented information on crime trends in ...
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HOT OFF THE PRESS! Chamber releases Plan of Action
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BE A PART OF THE PROCESS: Chamber urges business community to get involved in UNM president search
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ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE: Roundabout opens and connects Rail Trail to Tiguex Park
Despite federal funding being pulled from the Rail Trail — the work continues. On Oct. 3, the city of Albuquerque opened up a roundabout at ...
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University of New Mexico Hospital Celebrates Opening of Critical Care Tower
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LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: Senate and House Send Bills to Fourth Floor; Gov. Expected to Sign on Friday
LAST DAY’S WRAP UP IN THE SENATE Sen. Jay Block (R-Bernalillo & Sandoval) speaks on the Senate Floor on Thursday. HB2- New Mexico Care Affordability ...
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Don Tarry Briefs Chamber Board on PNM/Blackstone Proposed Acquisition
On Sept. 25, Don Tarry, Public Service Company of New Mexico CEO, spoke to the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors about the ...
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LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: Funding Bill Clears Both House and Senate, Heads to Gov.; Still More Work to Do Thursday
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION, 2025 OF THE 57TH LEGISLATURE UNDERWAY The special session hit the ground running today with legislators skipping the usual ceremonial formalities in ...
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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.