City of Albuquerque launches Nob Hill-University Public Safety ECHO

June 23, 2021

Today, Mayor Tim Keller, Chief of Police Harold Medina, the University of New Mexico and community partners announced the launch of the Nob Hill-University Public Safety ECHO.

The Nob Hill-University Public Safety ECHO builds on the City’s first ECHO program, the Downtown Public Safety ECHO launched in 2019. The program was based on the ECHO model pioneered by Project ECHO, the global tele-mentoring initiative based at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. The program brings together businesses, local partners, first responders and community members for weekly meetings. During the sessions, the groups build support for one another and address public safety concerns.

“When we first launched the Downtown Public Safety ECHO, we knew there was an incredible support system here in Albuquerque that we could bring together to address public safety,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We just marked the two year anniversary for our Downtown ECHO, and I am incredibly grateful that we will now be able to provide the same assistance to our Nob Hill-University area, known for its incredible business community and the institutions fostering the future leaders of our city. Since the launch of the Downtown Public Safety ECHO, 83 sessions have been held, with nearly 3,000 attendees, 68 teaching presentations, and 70 case studies, addressing challenges related to city buses, school bullying, when to call 911, and how to contact ACS.”

“We’re incredibly proud to see the ECHO model being expanded into Nob Hill, to support public safety,” said Dr. Sanjeev Arora, Founder and Director of Project ECHO. “When we bring people together to learn and solve problems, we can create real results for the community.”

Through the program, businesses, workers and residents in the Nob Hill and University areas will be able to come together, engage, address concerns, and work with local first responders to help address the issues.

“Our officers are committed to community policing, and through the Public Safety ECHO the men and women of APD are getting to build strong relationships as they are getting to know business owners and residents who live in these areas,” said Chief of Police Harold Medina. “We are building a unique relationship with UNM Police so we can better understand how to serve that area.”

The Nob Hill-University Public Safety ECHO will meet the first and third Wednesday from 4-5:30 p.m. All members of the community can participate via Zoom.

For more information, visit https://www.cabq.gov/echo or email [email protected]