OPINION: We've accomplished a lot, and there's more work to do

Each year, city government takes time to reflect on the past 12 months and share some of the work that city employees and community members do every day to help Albuquerque. We’ve worked hard to transform the annual State of the City address from a formal speech at a private luncheon into a community celebration accessible to all.

Don’t get me wrong, I see the challenges our city has: addiction-driven crime and homelessness, families worried about rent, guns in our schools and parents targeted by ICE.

If there were easy solutions to our long-term problems, I would have fixed them in a heartbeat. But we’ve been doing the real work that is required to face our challenges head-on and achieve real change. Today, projects years in the making are finally showing results.

Ten years ago, crime started going up, our police department was under a Department of Justice consent decree, officers were leaving, and pay and morale were low. Raising pay alone was not enough — although we did that. The department had to be rebuilt, and we had to literally rethink how to fight crime.

So, we turned to technology and support from civilians, and it’s having an impact. Now, we have completed DOJ reforms, restored morale and are rebuilding trust. We’ve added technology like gunshot detection, automated speed enforcement, thousands of cameras, license plate readers and drones. For the first time in a decade, crime is going down, and the Albuquerque Police Department is solving more violent crimes than before. I know we may not feel any safer in our city, but if these statistics continue, we absolutely will. We have a long way to go, but we know what’s working, and that’s why it’s so important we stay the course.

But safety is not just about policing. Here in Albuquerque, we led the way with something no city in America had the courage to try: the Community Safety Department, the nation’s first 24/7 alternative 911 response, which since launched four years ago has taken more than 120,000 calls police and fire did not have to — getting people the right response at the right time.

We see a similar story when it comes to homelessness. Until a few years ago, the only option for someone on the street was to take a bus to a shelter run by a nonprofit. There also was no pathway to housing. The problem was amplified by a shortage of 20,000 homes.

Now that is all changing. After lots of problem-solving and hard work, we’ve created the Gateway Network of specialized sites for housing navigation, addiction recovery, medical care, support for seniors, teenagers and families.

The city has around-the-clock support for the unhoused, and the Community Safety Department transports dozens of people directly from the streets into care every night. The Gateway Network provides pathways from the streets, to treatment and to housing for over 1,000 people every day.

Speaking of housing, we have drastically changed zoning codes to reduce sprawl and segregation, while encouraging inclusive density.

Strengthening our future also means investing in the heart of our neighborhoods, creating “third places” beyond home, work and school where people can connect. We are starved for more iconic destinations like in Nob Hill, EDo and Old Town. These neighborhood anchors create community and jobs.

That is why they are core to our vision for the future. Downtown at Seventh Street and Central, a once-troubled block, now has a boutique hotel, a new brewery and cafes. The Central New Mexico Film Academy will bring hundreds of students to the Rail Yards. The signs of resurgence are in plain sight. Places once on the brink are thriving again. Winrock, Arrive and Ex Novo, Park Square in Uptown, and the United stadium at the Balloon Fiesta are alive with activity. The Sunport was ranked as the seventh best airport in America, and we have been ranked No. 1 for college grads to live and work. Wages across Albuquerque are up, and we permitted 16,000 new homes and 7,000 apartments in the last eight years.

Neighborhoods that went overlooked for decades now have iconic destination parks that draw people from all corners of the city — Phil Chacon Park in the International District, Los Altos hosting regional tournaments, Wells Park with the coolest playground in the state. Westgate, Martineztown and Singing Arrow all have community centers for the first time, and new facilities are on the way at Atrisco Heritage and Cibola.

I will keep doing the hard work because I love this city, and together we will fight for a future that is safer, stronger and full of opportunity.