Latest news with #TimKeller
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Albuquerque Community Safety opens second location on the westside
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Four years after the city launched Albuquerque Community Safety, the department is seeing a big expansion with the goal of decreasing field response time. 40% of calls for service are on the west side, and the city has opened a second headquarters for ACS on 98th St. near Tower Rd. 'We want to meet people where they're at in their moment of crisis,' said Walter Adams, Safety Deputy Director of Field Operations with ACS. Story continues below News: Forest road rule in New Mexico faces potential change Trending: Former Hope Christian School teacher to remain behind bars through trial Weather: Stormier day with drop in temperatures KRQE Investigates: Drones in Blue: Albuquerque police deploying autonomous tech to 911 calls ACS said they have received more than 113,000 calls since opening four years ago. The program has steadily expanded, becoming operational 24/7 a year ago. The team is specially trained for mental health and substance abuse calls. 'We are the only city in America that has a full-service 24/7 alternative response integrated with our 911 system,' said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. The program allows police officers to focus on responding to crime instead of behavioral health calls. The response team said it also creates a less intimidating environment for the people in crisis. The new headquarters will be the base of operations for about half of ACS's 60 community responders. 'What this allows us to do is cut response times in half because we're not having to go from the east side of the city to the west,' said Keller. It also allows ACS employees who live on the west side to serve the community where they live. 'We're responding to over 3,000 calls a month. It's the impact our responders are making every single day in the lives of individuals that need help. It ranges from mental health crisis, suicidal ideation, welfare checks, wellness checks,' said Adams. City leaders hope that this expansion is only the beginning. 'My plan with the support of everybody is to continue to pop up these locations,' said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. Although this facility is for staff and dispatch only, this fall, a public facility will open down the street where people can seek out services. That public facility will be part of the Southwest Public Safety Center, opening soon, which will be a hub for fire, police, and ACS all in the same building. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Albuquerque bus driver arrested in stabbing of rider on the West Side
Jul. 9—A city of Albuquerque bus driver was arrested and charged after allegedly stabbing a passenger to death Wednesday morning near a bus stop on the West Side. David Gabaldon, 41, is charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence and criminal damage to property. Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement that the Transit Department has "launched an internal review into the actions of the employee involved." "Our Transit Department's highest priority is improving the safety and experience for all our riders, we understand this raises concerns about their efforts and have been working to make sure that all protocols were followed and safety measures were taken," Keller said. An ABQ Ride spokesperson did not respond to questions about how long Gabaldon had been a bus driver and if he had any prior incidents. Officers responded at 6:28 a.m. to a fight near Coors and Interstate 40, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court on Wednesday. Two minutes later, officers were called for a stabbing at the same location. Police detained Gabaldon while paramedics took the stabbed man to a hospital, where he died. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson, said the fatal altercation was sparked after another passenger got on the bus and complained that Gabaldon was late. Gabaldon told the man, "If he is going to get on the bus, he needs to shut up and get on," according to the criminal complaint. The two argued until Gabaldon stopped the Route 155 bus at Coors, south of Iliff, and said he would not move the bus until the passenger who complained got off. Another rider told Gabaldon he was concerned with how he was speaking to the passenger and that passengers had someplace to be, so he could not stop the bus, Gallegos said in a news release. The two had a physical altercation on the bus before continuing the fight outside. Before leaving the bus, the man was seen on video grabbing a knife from his backpack, which he later dropped, according to the criminal complaint. Footage obtained by police shows Gabaldon grabbing what police believe was pepper spray and spraying the man's face. Police said Gabaldon hit the man again before grabbing a knife from his pocket and stabbing him twice in his left side. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries. Gallegos said the man is not being identified until his family is notified. He said Gabaldon "chose not to make a statement to homicide detectives" after being arrested. "It is unconscionable that during an ordinary Wednesday morning commute with folks heading to work and morning engagements, that a personal conflict became a traumatic experience that no one should have to witness," Madeline Skrak, an ABQ Ride spokesperson, said in a news release.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
City of Albuquerque offering $500 grants for community block parties
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The City of Albuquerque is giving out $500 grants to support block parties in certain parts of the city. The purpose of the grant is to foster community engagement through business- and neighborhood-led events that highlight public spaces through music, food, art, and more, according to a news release from the city. ESPN's 'SportsCenter' is hitting the road to film in Albuquerque, cities across America 'Great cities are built by great communities, and this grant helps celebrate the people and neighborhoods that make Albuquerque special,' said Mayor Tim Keller in the news release. 'Whether it's music, food, or just good conversation, we're excited to help residents turn their streets into spaces for connection and celebration.' The grant funding is being distributed by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency and the block parties must be held in one of the 22 designated Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas across Albuquerque. Those areas are highlighted on the map below and can be found by clicking here. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the event date, and they will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Before applying, the city said applicants must collect verifiable signatures of support from at least 70% of the businesses or property owners on the party block(s). Only the blocks receiving the 70% or more level of support will be included in the party block boundaries. 'Block parties are a powerful way to build community and bring energy back to our streets,' Terry Brunner, MRA director, stated in the news release. 'Whether you're a local business, a neighborhood group, or just someone with a great idea, this grant helps make it happen.' MRA sponsorship can be used to pay for permits, insurance, social media ads, hire a DJ, an ice cream truck, or rent games, according to the city. Funding is awarded competitively, emphasizing free entry to the block party or free activities. Applicants can receive up to two awards a year; however, priority will be given to new applicants. To learn more and apply, visit For questions, please contact Mara Salcido, project manager, at msalcido@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
It's official! Keller, six challengers in the running for Albuquerque mayor
Jun. 20—Seven candidates have so far secured spots in the race for Albuquerque mayor, setting the stage for a potentially fierce competition as incumbent Tim Keller aims for a third consecutive term — an accomplishment no mayor has achieved in the office's modern history. The crowded field places Keller against an array of candidates calling for change. Keller recently cast the current moment as a comeback for Albuquerque. But his opponents say that crime and homelessness have risen during Keller's eight years. "We've worked hard to process the candidates' petition signatures," said City Clerk Ethan Watson. "We feel the process went smoothly." The candidates who wanted to appear on the ballot come November had to collect 3,000 valid signatures from registered voters between April 19 and 5 p.m. Saturday. Who's on the ballot? Daniel Chavez, president of Parking Company of America, qualified after receiving 3,427 Uballez, the former U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico, qualified after receiving 3,643 Sanchez, a former police officer and current city councilor, qualified after receiving 3,588 Armijo, the former director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and deputy county manager for Sandoval County, qualified after receiving 3,370 White, the former sheriff of Bernalillo County and CEO of cannabis company PurLife, qualified after receiving 3,562 Varela, a retired Albuquerque firefighter and former California fire chief, qualified after receiving 3,973 signatures — the second most among qualified after receiving 4,786 signatures. Who did not make it? As of Friday, four of the candidates who filed to run are unlikely to appear on the Election Day ballot. The closest was Patrick Sais, who has run for mayor and a state house seat unsuccessfully in the past. He received 1,052 valid signatures. Alpana Adair, a former hospitality consultant, collected 29 signatures. Brian Fejer, a local blogger, withdrew from the race. Adeo Herrick, who regularly criticizes the city during the City Council's general comment period, received 38 signatures. They may still qualify as write-in candidates. Seven candidates make runoff possible This is not the most crowded election in recent memory. That distinction belongs to Keller's first race in 2017, when eight candidates ran for the position. That race went to a runoff between Keller and Councilor Dan Lewis. With so many candidates in the race, a runoff is possible. City Clerk Watson explained that runoffs occur when no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. After the first round, the top two candidates will face each other in the second round. That election must be held within 45 days of the first.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Albuquerque RENT Ordinance fails in committee after landlord pushback
Jun. 11—An Albuquerque City Council committee on Wednesday voted down a proposed set of regulations intended to increase the power of renters and comprehensively regulate landlords after the latter expressed concern that the bill was an overreach and would negatively affect the rental market. The bill died after 3-2 vote in the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee. But Shanna Schultz, policy and government affairs administrator for the city, who wrote the bill on behalf of Mayor Tim Keller, left open the possibility of another similar bill in the future. "I understand the intent of this bill. But I also think there are a lot of unintended consequences," said Councilor Renée Grout. In its original form, the Renter's Empowerment and Neighborhood Transparency (RENT) Ordinance would've affected almost every element of the renting experience, from signing a lease to evictions and deposits. The RENT Ordinance sought to give renters more power over their landlords, according to Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, who sponsored the bill on behalf of the mayor's office. The measure, styled as a "Renters Bill of Rights," comes as the council has required landlords to provide cooling to tenants and created a code enforcement position dedicated to tenant-landlord issues. It also comes as the city faces an escalating housing crisis. Some of the bill's most notable changes aimed to enhance transparency. The RENT Ordinance would've required landlords to disclose all costs associated with a rental agreement in clear, straightforward language in their published listings. This included any information from a background check that might disqualify an applicant, as well as minimum credit score and income requirements. Another notable part of the RENT Ordinance would have eliminated pet rent. Landlords could accept a pet deposit of up to $150. The RENT Ordinance drew support from some renters and housing advocates, including OLÉ New Mexico. They said the ordinance would hold bad landlords accountable and improve the living conditions of renters, who make up about 44% of Albuquerque residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The bill also drew concern from landlords, some realtors, and property management companies. They argued the ordinance infringed on property rights, increased their liability since tenants could deduct repair costs from rent payments in some instances, and would lead to higher rents. Ultimately, Fiebelkorn was joined by Councilor Nichole Rogers in trying to keep the bill alive. Councilors Dan Champine and Brook Bassan joined Grout in voting to end the bill.
