Photos available upon request
SANTA FE, N.M. – Today, a coalition of advocates, community organizations, and directly impacted people held a press conference to discuss legislation aimed at improving public safety by expanding access to behavioral health services, housing, and other essential resources. The coalition urged legislators to reject harmful, failed policies while advocating for evidence-based approaches that strengthen New Mexican communities.
The coalition includes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, Bold Futures NM, Center for Civic Policy, Enlace Comunitario, Equality New Mexico (EQNM), New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, New Mexico Eviction Prevention & Diversion, New Mexico Native Vote, Organizers in the Land of Enchantment (OLÉ), and the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico.
The call for better public safety solutions follows Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address on Tuesday, which called for more punitive measures including longer sentences and involuntary commitment.
Quotes from coalition members:
“This year, the New Mexico legislature can take meaningful strides toward building true and lasting community safety in New Mexico,” said Daniel Williams, policy advocate with the ACLU of New Mexico. “Instead of relying on failed policies that further harm our communities, we need to invest in bold policies with solutions that have been proven to prevent crime.”
"We've created a carceral system that keeps folks trapped in cycles of poverty and discrimination–from housing to jobs to mental health support, the barriers are real and they're designed to keep system-impacted individuals right where they are,” said Adam Griego, member of ACLU-NM’s Justice Advisory and Accountability Board and who was formerly incarcerated. “We must shift our energy towards real community rehabilitation, teaching skills, and removing these systemic barriers that keep returning citizens from dreaming again. True change demands we work united across party lines, choosing life over prison, and being accountable for creating the most incarcerated nation to ever exist. We can do this together if we empower all to thrive through restorative justice rather than perpetual punishment."
"The 2024 PIT Count revealed a rise in homelessness across New Mexico, highlighting an undeniable crisis–and we know these numbers significantly underestimate the true scale of the issue. To effectively tackle homelessness, we must confront its root causes, adopt a unified and systemic approach involving the state, cities, nonprofit organizations, and communities, and prioritize the creation of deeply affordable housing. Guided by data-driven strategies, we can build solutions that ensure lasting change and provide hope for all who are impacted." said Monet Silva, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness.
“Already this session, the governor and some lawmakers have proposed policies to lengthen sentences and coerce treatment. These policies that fuel mass incarceration are not the solutions we need—and we know that vulnerable populations like LGBTQ people, unhoused people, people of color, and people with behavioral health challenges will disproportionately bear the brunt. We urge the governor and the legislature to reject harmful proposals and instead double down on the real proposed solutions that will offer stability and safety by investing in housing, healthcare, education, and jobs,” said Marshall Martinez, executive director of EQNM.
“Improving public safety in New Mexico requires thoughtful and research-backed solutions. We must start with investments into education, housing, and healthcare. This is a commonsense approach proven to be more effective at preventing crime than increasing penalties and incarceration. Our communities deserve action on legislation that will have a lasting positive effect on public safety this session,” said Lan Sena, policy director at the Center for Civic Policy.
“We are looking forward to working with the legislature to pass evidence-based solutions that will make our communities safer and allow us all to thrive in New Mexico. Housing that people can afford, paired with supportive services if needed, is the most effective way to ensure everyone has a safe place to live. Decreasing barriers to accessing housing will ensure everyone is healthy and stable,” said Rachel Biggs, chief strategy officer with Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless. “Our communities thrive when everyone is housed."
