ACS Hosts Minnesota Leaders Wanting to Create Alternative Response Programs
ALBUQUERQUE - On Tuesday, August 27, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) hosted Pohlad Family Foundation, an organization that focuses housing stability and racial justice in the Twin Cities. They visited Albuquerque along with a larger group, made up of dignitaries from four different cities and ten organizations based in Minnesota. They were in Albuquerque to explore modern, innovative approaches to public safety, and the transformative success of ACS.
“When George Floyd was murdered in our streets in Minneapolis, one of the things the community cried out for was a response that was different,” said Susan Roberts, President of Pohlad Family Foundation. “We all came to Albuquerque to learn about the success ACS has had with their alternative response model.”
The visiting organizations represented included:
- Pohlad Family Foundation
- National League of Cities
- City of Brooklyn Center
- City of Golden Valley
- City of Minneapolis
- City of Saint Paul
- Ramsey County
- Hennepin County
- Vera Institute
- Canopy Roots
- Ubuntu Care Services
- Rainbow Research
Among the visitors were city councilors, chiefs of police and fire departments, heads of non-profits and program managers.
As part of their agenda, the group met with Mayor Tim Keller, Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo, ACS community partners from Tenderlove, University of New Mexico Hospital, ABQ Street Connect, and with representatives from 911 Dispatch and 311. Some of the visitors also participated in ride alongs with Behavioral Health Responders and peer support staff from ACS’s Violence Prevention Intervention division and attended a Connect to Care pop-up resource event at Robinson Park.
“We see the difference ACS is making in Albuquerque, and we believe that every city in America would benefit from alternative first response,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It is powerful to connect with likeminded leaders from other states to share what’s working and imagine a future where mental and behavioral health first responders are the norm.”
“We have a responsibility to both our community and other cities looking to implement similar departments and programs back home,” said Albuquerque Community Safety Director, Jodie Esquibel. “It’s humbling to be seen as a trailblazer in the behavioral response space and this gathering further empowers us to continue to grow in the way we do the work.”