Sharon Griego, a resident of Albuquerque’s International District, is calling for action to address the escalating concerns of homelessness and safety in her community.

A Safety Concern Turns Personal

Griego, accustomed to enjoying outdoor moments with friends near her apartment complex, recently experienced a disturbing incident. What happened to me on Wednesday was uncalled for. I live here! This is supposed to be my safe home, she expressed. Griego recounted an altercation with an unhoused woman, highlighting the intrusion of homeless individuals into her living space. Our hallways in our apartment complex are full of homeless people, our stairwells are full of people smoking fentanyl, you know, she lamented.

Escalating Tensions

The situation escalated when Griego confronted one of the individuals, resulting in a physical altercation where she was bitten. Despite police intervention, Griego emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackle the underlying issues contributing to homelessness and associated safety concerns. How many more people do I have to go through before it is going to get dealt with? How many more people are going to become homeless? she questioned.

Addressing the Issue

Responding to the community’s concerns, the Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) acknowledges the severity of the situation in the International District, marked by the highest call volume in the city. Walter Adams, the ACS manager for Mental Behavioral Health Field Operations, urges residents to utilize their services. If anyone is an imminent risk to themselves or anyone else, absolutely call 911. However, to address the issue at hand, call ACS out, let us go offer resources to these individuals and let us help them, he stated.

Providing Support and Resources

ACS operates round the clock, providing assistance and connecting individuals with shelters and essential resources. Adams underscores the importance of empathy and support when dealing with homeless individuals. When you come across individuals, the best thing to do is the care and concern for that individual to get them the help they need. To try and address, like I said, underlying issues with mental health and why they are out and unsheltered, he emphasized.

Conclusion: Advocating for Community Support

Sharon Griego’s call for action echoes the sentiments of many residents grappling with homelessness and safety concerns in Albuquerque. As the community seeks solutions, collaboration between residents, local authorities, and support agencies becomes imperative to address the root causes and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.

For Related Stories: Feliz Romero

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