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.
CREATING A COMMUNITY: ACS Safety Responder Academy Graduates to Assist with Behavioral and Mental Health Issue Calls
The Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Responder Academy’s rigorous training is designed to prepare responders for mental and behavioral health crisis situations, which helps serve the ...
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HISTORIC MOMENT: Cecily Barker Nominated to Become First Female APD Chief
Cecily Barker was nominated to lead the Albuquerque Police Department by Mayor Tim Keller. Barker’s appointment is subject to City Council confirmation.In late March, Albuquerque ...
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TRANSFORMATION TAKING PLACE: Leadership Albuquerque Program Day Focuses on Downtown
On March 24, Leadership Albuquerque participants took to the streets of Downtown Albuquerque as part of its Downtown program day. The day started at the ...
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE — CASE BY CASE: Chamber awards two Prosecutor of the Year Awards
Public safety is not a partisan issue — it’s an economic and quality-of-life issue. This is why the Chamber views public safety as one of ...
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‘WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT’: Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman outlines up and downs during Chamber’s CrimeStat Luncheon
On March 11, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce held its 8th annual CrimeStat Luncheon featuring Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman at the ...
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LEGISLATURE WRAP UP: Chamber recaps the 30-day session
The 2026 Legislative Session wrapped up Feb. 19, 2026. Click here for a summary of the results!
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LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP February 19, 2026 — Thirty-Day 2026 Legislative Session: Over the Goal Line and Done!
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP February 18, 2026 — ‘Tax Package’ Sent to Governor; House Agrees with Senate, Sends $11.2 Billion Budget to Governor and more!
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP February 17, 2026 — Medical Malpractice Reform Heads to the Governor; Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Plan to Senate Floor and more!
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP February 16, 2026 — Senate Judiciary Holds Extended Hearing on HB 99 — Medical Malpractice Reform; Senate Passes Record $11.1 Billion Budget Bill and more!
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.