City Poll Shows Mayor Tim Keller’s Priorities Reflect City Needs

November 21, 2018

A poll released today shows that Mayor Tim Keller’s priorities reflect the needs of Albuquerque. The poll conducted by Research and Polling Inc. measured the general satisfaction of Albuquerque residents, who expressed that their top concerns were crime, homelessness, education, behavioral health, and the economy – all are related to initiatives that the Mayor has worked on throughout his first year in office. The City of Albuquerque is required by ordinance to conduct a poll each year to measure residents’ general satisfaction.

Research and Polling Inc.’s poll was conducted in June, just six months into Mayor Tim Keller’s administration. Notably, 68 percent of respondents said they were hopeful about the direction of the city. When asked about ways to make the city more family friendly the top three unaided responses were less crime, improve education, and safer streets. When asked about what makes Albuquerque special, residents highlighted weather, friendly people, proximity to the outdoors, and culture – all of which have been part of Mayor Keller’s plans for building an economy that works for everyone.

“I grew up here and am raising a family here so I have many of the same concerns as folks who responded to this poll. I don’t have rose colored glasses on but like those who responded, I’m hopeful for the future and believe in our city. Fixing our challenges is not going to happen overnight, but by facing them head on and taking the right steps we can work toward a brighter future for Albuquerque,” said Mayor Tim Keller.

During Mayor Keller’s first year, the City has worked to attack crime from all sides, outlined a plan to address homelessness, expanded out-of-school time programs for kids, and bolstered Albuquerque’s economy through a strategic economic plan.

Public Safety

• Established new leadership at APD committed to community policing
• Reopened and expanded public safety substations in Nob Hill and Old Town
• Created the first Downtown Public Safety District to address crime, connect those experiencing in homelessness or behavioral health crisis to resources, and work with businesses to make downtown a safe place to live, work, and play
• Committed to DOJ reform and constitutional policing to restore trust between APD and the community
• Returned to proactive enforcement like traffic stops and auto theft stings that lead to catching perpetrators of more violent crimes.
• Increased recruitment efforts to put 400 more police officers on the streets over four years

Homelessness & Behavioral Health

• Appointed leaders to the Department of Family and Community Services focused on homelessness and behavioral health
• Outlined a comprehensive plan to address both immediate needs and longer term housing needs for those experiencing homelessness
• Increased funding for housing vouchers that will help folks transition from emergency shelters to affordable housing
• Provided homelessness and behavioral health case management in the Downtown Public Safety substation
• Opened the Westside Emergency Shelter early to ensure folks have a safe, warm place to go when cold temperatures hit early, working with City Council to keep it open year-round
• Worked with local partners to create a triage center for behavioral health and addiction services
• Launched the HEART Program through Albuquerque Fire Rescue to do preventative outreach to at-risk communities

Economy

• Unveiled a six pillar plan to build an economy that works for everyone centered on placemaking, buy local, international business, increment of one, smart recruitment and creative economy
• Recruited Netflix to build a studio and production center at Albuquerque Studios and invest over $1 billion in the local economy
• Linked the Albuquerque Sunport to the first international flight in eight years to open up markets and make Albuquerque a place to do business
• Took back the Rail Yards so the City can develop the location with its history, location, and culture in mind
• Established the One Albuquerque: Engage program to boost the local economy and promote public safety downtown by filling vacant buildings with temporary, pop-up style art exhibits, performances, and shopping experiences – recruiting a permanent tenant to one of the locations
• Announced 700 good-paying jobs in downtown Albuquerque

Education

• Doubled access to out-of-school time programs before school, after school and during the summer
• Launched the Youth Connect portal to connect parents and children to engaging City programs
• Brought back Teen Nights during the summer to ensure young people have a safe place to hang out on Friday nights
• Appointed a Child and Family Development Division Manager to oversee early childhood education programs that the City provides