OPINION: Stop the gaslighting

Mayor Tim Keller’s recent State of the City address was a masterclass in political spin. He painted a picture of progress, claiming Albuquerque is on the cusp of a “comeback” with rebuilt institutions and innovative solutions to our most pressing problems. But let’s call it what it is: gaslighting. The people of Albuquerque aren’t blind to the realities on our streets. Keller boasted about rebuilding the Albuquerque Police Department, yet the facts tell a different story.

Today, APD has around 900 sworn officers, fewer than we had in 2015. How can he claim reconstruction when our force is smaller than it was a decade ago, even as our city has grown?

Keller touted new technology to curb shootings, like advanced detection systems and data-driven policing, but rhetoric doesn’t stop bullets. In the past weeks alone, Albuquerque has seen multiple shootings, including a woman found with a gunshot wound and two people injured in a Downtown incident just a day earlier. These aren’t isolated events; they’re part of a relentless pattern.

While homicides stand at 47 for the year through Aug. 22, nonfatal shootings continue to terrorize neighborhoods. And crime isn’t decreasing. It’s going unreported or undercounted, as evidenced by discrepancies in APD’s first-quarter 2025 homicide reports, where omitted cases raised serious questions about transparency. Residents know the truth: Calls go unanswered, response times lag, and criminals walk free due to a revolving-door justice system.

Keller’s speech promised more of the same: Vague commitments to housing, immigration and homelessness without a real plan for action. If this is the blueprint for his next administration, Albuquerque is in dire need of serious change. We can’t afford another term of excuses and empty promises. As a candidate for mayor, I’m committed to delivering real results, starting with public safety and economic revitalization.

On crime, my plan is straightforward: Rebuild trust, empower our officers, and prevent violence before it happens. First, we’ll boost recruitment and retention by offering competitive pay, better training and support for mental health. APD is understaffed and demoralized. I’ll work to hire new leadership to foster a culture of accountability and excellence. We’ll implement true community policing, with neighborhood liaisons embedded in every district to build relationships and address local concerns proactively. Mental health crisis teams will handle nonviolent calls, freeing officers for serious crimes. And we’ll invest in prevention programs for at-risk youth, partnering with schools and nonprofits to break the cycle of violence.

Albuquerque has immense potential, but crime and bureaucracy are stifling growth. As the former Economic Development director for Bernalillo County, I brought in $1.4 billion in investments and created over 5,000 jobs. I’ll apply that experience citywide by slashing permitting delays that currently take months or years.

We’ll modernize City Hall with digital tools for faster approvals, making us competitive for high-paying industries like aerospace, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Small businesses, the backbone of our community, will get targeted support through tax incentives, streamlined regulations, and access to capital. I’ll prioritize workforce development, partnering with University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College to train residents for tomorrow’s jobs.

By tackling crime head-on, we’ll attract more entrepreneurs and families, sparking a virtuous cycle of prosperity. Imagine an Albuquerque where opportunity knocks for everyone, from the South Valley to the Northeast Heights.

Keller’s address was a reminder of why we need new leadership. His “comeback” narrative ignores the hardships families face daily: Fear of crime, stagnant wages, and a city hall that’s out of touch. Albuquerque deserves better: A mayor who listens, acts decisively and delivers measurable progress.

Mayling Armijo is a former Sandoval County deputy county manager and an Albuquerque mayoral candidate.