ACS Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary of 24/7 Response
Albuquerque, NM – This week marks a significant milestone for the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) department, as it celebrates one year of responding to calls during the graveyard shift. Since launching this crucial service, ACS has answered over 10,000 calls for assistance between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., delivering trauma-informed, community-centered, and holistic care to residents in need.
The calls ACS has responded to during these hours span a wide range, including mental and behavioral health crises, suicidal ideation, homelessness concerns, and welfare checks. Each call has been met with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to providing the right response at the right time. ACS responders are trained to handle these situations with a focus on de-escalation, emotional support, and connecting individuals to vital resources, ensuring that community members receive the help they need when they need it most.
“Our goal has always been to provide care that not only addresses immediate needs but also supports long-term well-being,” said Jodie Esquibel, Director of Albuquerque Community Safety. “The work our team has done during these late-night hours is a testament to our commitment to the people of Albuquerque and our mission to create a safer, healthier community for all.”
One of the many successes over the past year includes a situation involving a male consumer experiencing a severe behavioral health episode. ACS responders arrived to find the man frightened and reliving a past traumatic event where he had been shot after threatening neighbors with a brick. With patience, support, and encouragement, ACS responders were able to help him remain calm and safely transport him to the hospital for evaluation, preventing a potential crisis from escalating.
As ACS looks forward to the future, the department remains dedicated to expanding its services and continuing to provide compassionate, effective care to Albuquerque’s most vulnerable populations. The community can rest assured that, no matter the time of day, ACS will be there to help, offering the right response at the right time.