Uncommon Knowledge
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New Mexico
New Mexico city bans homeless people from alleyways
Albuquerque is taking a new approach to address homelessness by permanently closing alleyways in the city’s International District.
The initiative, led by City Councilor Nichole Rogers, aims to reduce crime and improve safety in areas heavily affected by homelessness, drug use, and related issues.
The Context
The effort to close these alleyways comes amid a broader national debate on how cities handle homelessness.
A homeless woman pushes a cart along the street on June 03, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Mexico is one of the poorest states in the United States, with a sluggish economy, a growing homeless problem and a surge in drug use. In 2018 19 percent of residents had incomes below the poverty line while over one in four New Mexican children under the age of 18 were living in poverty. The Southwestern state boasts some of Americas best weather and top tourist destinations, but continues to face economic challenges.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images Entertainment/GC Images
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of local ordinances allowing cities to ban homeless people from sleeping outdoors in public spaces, including streets and alleyways.
This ruling has given cities like Albuquerque the legal backing to implement stricter measures against encampments on public property.
What We Know
Councilor Rogers is spearheading the initiative due to the persistent issues related to crime and homelessness observed in the area.
“There’s not one magic fix to any of these issues,” Rogers told local news station KRQE, noting the alleyway behind the Circle K gas station on Central Avenue and San Pedro Drive as a significant problem area.
According to Rogers, the lack of housing, mental health resources, and substance abuse services are at the root of these issues.
The city has previously seen success with similar measures. For example, the alley behind Buffett’s Candies on Lomas and Louisiana was closed off, which significantly reduced crime and illegal activities, KRQE reported.
The project involves closing three alleys identified by police and fire departments based on high call volumes. “Am I for every alley being shut down or closed? No. But we have to do something because people are suffering,” Rogers told KRQE.
Newsweek has reached out to Nichole Rogers for comment.
What’s Next
Rogers hopes to replicate this success in other so-called problematic areas within the International District. She emphasized the importance of beautifying these alleys and adding lighting to deter unwanted activities.
The funding for these closures comes from capital outlay dollars allocated for public safety and community enhancement.
The cost of installing permanent fencing ranges from $30,000 to $90,000, depending on the size of the alley, according to KRQE.
Despite these efforts, Rogers and city officials recognize that closing alleys is not a comprehensive solution to homelessness.
In response to critics, Rogers invited them to join the efforts in finding solutions. “This is an all hands on deck crisis and we need to be thinking of it that way and we need to be thinking about it, how do we alleviate suffering?” she told KRQE. “Regardless of why someone is suffering, if you’re unsheltered you’re suffering.”
The remaining alleys slated for closure are on Central Avenue and Louisiana Boulevard behind the KFC and on California Street and Linn Avenue near the New Mexico State Fairgrounds.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.