Each year, the City of Albuquerque commissions a survey to assess residents’ satisfaction with various City services and issues relating to crime, homelessness, and public safety.  The study is required by City ordinance.

On April 16, the results of the annual City of Albuquerque Citizen Perception Survey were released. This year the poll was conducted by Pinion Research.  The findings are from a poll of 400 adults residing within Albuquerque city limits, conducted via landline, cellphone, and text-to-web, from February 26 to February 28, 2024. The margin of error is +/- 4.9% points at the 95% confidence interval.

The five major categories covered by the survey are:

• Quality of Life
• Personal Safety
• City Services
• Homelessness
• Direction City Is Going
• Albuquerque Police Department

 The link to review the entire unedited survey report is here:

 https://www.cabq.gov/progress/documents/albuquerque-yearly-survey-2023.pdf

This blog article is an edited version of the survey results followed by Analysis and Commentary.

 SURVEY RESULTS

The Survey contains a two sentence Summary that states:

“Most Albuquerque residents feel safe, believe in the work the City of Albuquerque is doing in key areas, and support public safety efforts. At the same time, residents are concerned about the direction of Albuquerque, cost of living, reckless driving and panhandling.”

The survey summary essentially ignores the critical area of resident’s attitudes towards the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and their beliefs that APD is not doing a good job in addressing violent crime and property crime. The summary ignores residents believing that city government is not responsive to resident’s needs.

STATUS OF CITY

“Overall, 69% of city residents report feeling safe outside in their neighborhoods. There is a notable ethnic divide on feelings of safety. Anglos feel significantly safer at 71% felling safe than Hispanics at 62% safe outside in their neighborhoods. There is also a significant divide in intensity.  36% of Anglos feel very safe while only 20% of Hispanics feel very safe.

A majority of city residents are concerned about the direction of Albuquerque. When asked how they feel about the direction Albuquerque is going in 2024, 31% of surveyed say they are hopeful about the direction of Albuquerque, while 63% report feeling concerned.

This feeling of concern for the direction of Albuquerque crosses demographics. Hispanics and Anglos have similar overall concern about the direction of  Albuquerque.  65% of Hispanics are  concerned  about the direction of the city versus  63% of Anglo  are concerned. However, Hispanics show more intensity in their concern for the direction of Albuquerque with 45% of Hispanic saying they are very concerned versus 35% Anglo saying they are very concerned.  This mirrors sentiment about the direction of the nation with one polling average showing only 23.3% believe the country is headed in the right direction while 66.9% think the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Half of city residents feel their personal financial situation has largely stayed the same over the last 6 months. Another 37% report that their personal financial situation has gotten worse over the last six months, while just 12% feel their financial situation has gotten better. During a period where the country is still experiencing inflation, these findings suggest city residents feel that their earnings are not keeping up with cost.“

CRIME AND POLICING

EDITOR’S NOTE:  The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) continues to be the largest funded department budget and it is about a fifth of the total city budget. The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund budget for the Albuquerque Police Department is $271.5 million, which represents an increase of 5.2% or $13.4 million above the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.  1,840 full time positions will be funded which includes funding for 1,010 sworn police positions. The budget includes funding for 1,010 sworn police officers which is identical to last year. However, the city has yet to hit its goal of 1,000 sworn police with APD going so far as saying the originally proposed 1,100 sworn is unattainable.  APD had 856 sworn officers last year and this year  there are 880 sworn police officers in the department and 50 people are currently going through the police academy.

City Residents are critical of the job the Albuquerque Police Department is doing.

“The majority of city residents DISAGREE that APD is doing a good job addressing violent crime with 39% agreeing it is doing good job and 56% disagreeing they are doing a good job.

The majority of city residents DISAGREE that the APD is doing a good job addressing property crime  with 35% agreeing APD is  doing a good job and 60% disagreeing they are doing a good job.

A slight majority of city residents DISAGREE that “the Albuquerque Police Department is ready to transition away from oversight by the federal government and operate on its own” with 39% agreeing APD is ready to transition away from federal oversight and 51% disagreeing APD is ready to transition away from federal oversight.

In addition to disagreeing with the positive APD statements, most city residents disagree that “The Albuquerque City Government is responsive to our community needs” with 35% agreeing that the Albuquerque City Government is responsive to community needs and 61% disagreeing Albuquerque City Government is responsive to community needs.

Feelings about APD vary by gender.  Men are less likely to agree that the APD is doing a good job addressing violent crime with 32% of men agree versus 46% women agreeing.   Men are less likely to agree that the APD is doing a good job addressing property crime with 24% men agreeing versus  45% women agreeing.  Women are less likely to agree that the APD is ready to operate on its own with 45% men agreeing versus 33% women agreeing.

Speeding and reckless driving is the top issue that affects feelings of safety across demographics. Overall, a whopping 81% of city residents say that speeding and reckless driving affects their feelings of safety at least somewhat, while 43% say it affects their feelings of safety “very much”.

Illegal drug use is the second most significant contributor to safety overall, but edges out speeding and reckless driving in intensity with 45% of city residents saying very much, and a whopping 77% of residents saying very much/somewhat.

Reports of crime and abnormal activity on social media platforms such as NextDoor contribute the least to feelings of safety overall and in intensity with 16% of residents saying very much and 60% of residents saying very much/somewhat.

Outside of public safety and homelessness, top priorities revolve around costs, infrastructure, and the economy. Cost of living, taxes, and fees top the list of priorities that city residents feel are most important for the Albuquerque Mayor and City Council to focus on with 35% of city residents saying it’s the top priority, followed by infrastructure at 33% and growing the local economy at 31%.

While the cost-of-living ranks highly across demographics, Hispanics rank it significantly higher than Anglos with 43% for Hispanics versus 25% for Anglos. Women at 30% and younger citizens at 32% rank programs for youth as a higher priority than men at 20% and older city residents.

City residents feel that all safety proposals presented would be effective in making their neighborhoods safer. More street lighting is seen as being the most effective in terms of intensity with 50% of residents felling it is very effective and 79% feel it is total effective, while being tied with neighbors working together to report crime or suspicious activities as the most effective overall with 41% resident felling it is very effective and 79% feeling it is total effective. Neighbors working together is seen as most effective overall by Hispanics with 84% saying it is total effective while Anglos view street lighting as most effective with 80% saying it is total effective.”

HOMELESSNESS

“When it comes to the issue of homelessness, a plurality of 23% of city residents feel panhandling impacts them and their family the most.  17% of city residents feel homeless Encampments impacts them and their family the most. Another 19% feel most affected by their access to retail stores, parking lots, and sidewalks.”

OTHER PRIORITIES

“Outside of public safety and homelessness, top priorities revolve around costs, infrastructure, and the economy. Cost of living, taxes, and fees top the list of priorities that city residents feel are most important for the Albuquerque Mayor and City Council to focus on with 35% saying it is the top priority, followed by infrastructure at 33% and growing the local economy at 31%.

While the cost-of-living ranks highly across demographics, Hispanics rank cost of living significantly higher at 43% than Anglos at 25%. Women at 30% and younger city resident at 32% rank programs for youth as a higher priority than men  at 20% and older city residents at 15%.”

CITY PROGRAMS

“Overall, city residents find the City of Albuquerque’s efforts to address the issues of homelessness, the economy, and crime to be more effective than ineffective. Men are less convinced about the effectiveness of programs than women, especially regarding growing the local economy with 54% of men saying the efforts are total effective and  74% women saying they are  total effective.”

BOTTOM LINE

“City residents are troubled by the path Albuquerque is on, but they believe in the work the city is doing. The City of Albuquerque can course correct by highlighting the work that is happening and show real results that people see and feel, particularly around the issues of crime, homelessness, reckless driving, and the local economy.”

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Citizens Satisfaction Survey makes the following major recommendations to address city resident concerns:

• STREETLIGHTS: Highlighting and/or expanding Albuquerque’s system of streetlights could help affect feelings of safety in the city.
• NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY: Enhance efforts to support community safety programs and emphasize that we all have a role in reducing crime and looking out for one another.
• POLICE OVERSIGHT: Increase visibility of reform progress and internal oversight mechanisms.
• RECKLESS DRIVING: Addressing reckless driving could contribute to a greater feeling of safety in Albuquerque. This could mean more reckless driving enforcement and initiatives.
• GOOD JOBS: Continue efforts to attract new, good-paying jobs to Albuquerque and support local business growth and development. Highlight these efforts publicly whenever possible.
• HOMELESSNESS: Promote and build on current efforts to create affordable housing and offer the resources needed to put people on a path toward success and reduce panhandling. Additionally, provide resources to restore access to stores, parking lots, and sidewalks.
• ILLEGAL DRUG USE: Highlight efforts to crackdown on illegal drug trade and illegal drug use. This may also include emphasizing harm reduction efforts and increasing access to drug abuse treatment programs and resources.

SPECIFICE QUESTIONS ASKED AND SURVEY RESULTS

The Citizens Satisfaction Survey contained specific questions about the direction the city is going, personal financial situation, and the dedication of city services. Following are the specific questions and the poll results.

Question: How do you feel about the direction Albuquerque is going in 2024?

• Total Very hopeful: 5%
• Somewhat hopeful: 26%
• Somewhat concerned: 24%
• Very concerned: 39%
• (Don’t know/refused): 6%
• Total Hopeful: 31%
• Total Concerned: 63%
• Hopeful – Concerned: -32%

Question:  Over the last six months, would you say your personal financial situation has gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same?

• Gotten better:12%
• Gotten worse: 37%
• Stayed the same: 50%
• Don’t know/refused to answer: 0%
• Margin of difference between Gotten Better and Gotten Worse:  -25%

Question: The majority of the city budget is dedicated to public safety and addressing homelessness and housing. Aside from these two priorities, what do you feel are the most important priorities for the Albuquerque Mayor and City council to focus on?  

• Total Cost of living, taxes, and fees: 35%
• Infrastructure, like road repair and building community centers: 33%
• Growing the local economy and good jobs: 31%
• Programs for youth like after school programs, camps, and sports: 24%
• Services for seniors like hot meals, activities, and transportation: 14%
• Clean energy and sustainability: 10%
• Cultural amenities like the arts, libraries, and special events: 8%
• Parks and open space: 8%
• Promoting equity, inclusion, and civil rights: 7%
• Other: 13%
• Don’t know/refused to answer: 1%

The Citizen Satisfaction Survey outlined factual statements and asked residents to please state if they thought if the statements were an effective way to address the issue in Albuquerque. Following are the statements and the survey results:

“To address housing and homelessness, the City of Albuquerque opened the Gibson Health Hub to provide services to the homeless, is converting hotels into housing, modernized zoning to allow more casitas, and continues to construct new affordable housing”

• Very Effective: 16%
• Somewhat Effective: 42%
• Somewhat Ineffective: 13%
• Very Ineffective: 25%
• Don’t Know: 4%
• TOTAL EFFECTIVENESS: 58%
• TOTAL INEFFECTIVENESS: 38%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFECTIVENESS AND INEFFECTIVENESS: 20%

“The City of Albuquerque is growing our local economy by offering job training programs, creating a film school at the Railyards, and bringing green energy and technology companies to Albuquerque.”

• Very Effective: 20%
• Somewhat Effective: 45%
• Somewhat Ineffective: 16%
• Very Ineffective: 15%
• Don’t Know:4%
• TOTAL EFFECTIVENESS: 65%
• TOTAL INEFFECTIVENESS: 31%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFECTIVENESS AND INEFFECTIVENESS: 33%

“To ensure our police officers focus on crime, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department sends public health first responders to non-violent 911 calls for mental health crises and addiction.”

• Very Effective: 22%
• Somewhat Effective: 41%
• Somewhat Ineffective: 15%
• Very Ineffective: 16%
• Don’t Know: 6%
• TOTAL EFFECTIVENESS: 63%
• TOTAL INEFFECTIVENESS: 31%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFECTIVENESS AND INEFFECTIVENESS: 32%

Two specific statements were made about the Albuquerque Police Department and city residents were asked to agree or disagree with the statements.  Following are the statements and the survey results:

“The Albuquerque Police Department is doing a good job addressing violent crime.”

• Strongly Agree: 11%
• Somewhat Agree: 29%
• Somewhat Disagree: 26%
• Strongly Disagree: 30%
• Don’t Know: 5%
• TOTAL AGREE: 39%
• TOTAL DISAGREE: 56%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGREE AND DISAGREE: 16%

“The Albuquerque Police Department is doing a good job addressing property crime.”

• Strongly Agree: 7%
• Somewhat Agree: 28%
• Somewhat Disagree: 23%
• Strongly Disagree: 37%
• Don’t Know: 5%
• TOTAL AGREE: 35%
• TOTAL DISAGREE: 60%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGREE AND DISAGREE: 25%

“The Albuquerque Police Department is ready to transition away from oversight by the federal government and operate on its own.”

• Strongly Agree: 18%
• Somewhat Agree: 21%
• Somewhat Disagree: 21%
• Strongly Disagree: 30%
• Don’t Know: 10%
• TOTAL AGREE: 39%
• TOTAL DISAGREE: 51%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGREE AND DISAGREE: 12%.

CITY HALL RESPONSIVENESS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

EDITORS NOTE:  On April 1, the Mayor Tim Keller Administration released the proposed city operating budget for fiscal  2025 and submitted it to the Albuquerque City Council for final review and approval. The fiscal year begins July 1, 2024 and ends June 30, 2025.The proposed budget is a whopping $1.4 billion budget.  The General Fund Budget, which is funding for the 27 individual city departments, is $845.9 million, an increase of $19.3 million or a 2.3% increase above the 2024 budget. Non-recurring spending will drop from $49.9 million last year to $28.4 million in the proposed budget.  The budget leaves 12% in reserves and a $5 million fund balance. The coming fiscal year’s budget is for 7,015 full time city employees.

The following statement was made regarding Albuquerque City Government responsiveness to community needs and city residents were asked to agree or disagree with the statement:

“The Albuquerque City Government is responsive to our community needs.”

• Strongly Agree: 7%
• Somewhat Agree: 28%
• Somewhat Disagree: 30%
• Strongly Disagree: 32%
• Don’t Know: 4%
• TOTAL AGREE: 35%
• TOTAL DISAGREE: 61%
• MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGREE AND DISAGREE: 27%

Two questions, one on how safe do people feel and one on the unhoused are worth noting:

“In your neighborhood, how safe do you feel being outside?”

• Very safe: 28%
• Somewhat safe: 41%
• Somewhat unsafe: 21%
• Very unsafe: 10%
• Don’t know/refused: 1%
• Total Safe: 69%
• Total Unsafe: 31%

“When it comes to homelessness, which of these issues impacts you and your family the most?”

• Panhandling: 23%
• Encampments: 17%
• Access to retail stores, parking lots and sidewalks: 19%
• Not having a stable place to live: 16%
• Access to parks and playgrounds: 5%
• Don’t know/refused to answer: 11%

The link to review the entire unedited poll is here:

Click to access albuquerque-yearly-survey-2023.pdf

APD AND MAYOR KELLR’S REACTION TO RESULTS

The Albuquerque Police Department issued the following statement in response to the Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey:

“While officers focus every day on proactive policing and making arrests, these survey results reinforce the public’s desire to engage with APD to make Albuquerque safe for families. We hear from residents that they want a strong police presence and more technology to enforce laws, but they recognize the need for neighbors working together to report crimes and suspicious activity.”

Mayor Tim Keller issued the following statement in response to the Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey:

“The survey affirms what we know to be true: there are real challenges in our community, and our major initiatives have traction and broad public support. By stepping up in tough times and prioritizing investments in public safety, neighborhood enhancements, and programs that bolster our economy, we are working every day to make our city stronger.”

The link to the quoted news source is here:

https://www.koat.com/article/city-of-albuquerque-survey-albuquerque-police-department-crime/60540848

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The Citizens Satisfaction Survey  poll was conducted from  February 26 to February 28, 2024. Before the poll was taken, a major scandal rocked APD and APD Chief Harold Medina was involved in a serious car crash he caused but he has yet to be held accountable for causing the crash. It’s likely both events had no impact on the citizen satisfaction survey results in that the survey did not ask any questions on the overall opinions of APD nor how well people feel about the management of APD and the present condition of the department . Since the poll was taken, another scandal involving APD has been reported where 7 members of the Albuquerque police academy’s training staff are suing the city alleging nepotism and retaliation by leadership within APD, including APD Chief Harold Medina.

THREE CONTROVERSIES IN 4 MONTHS INVOLVING APD

On Friday January 19, it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed search warrants and raided 3 homes of Albuquerque Police officers and the home and the law office of prominent DWI criminal defense attorney.  All 6 are allegedly involved in a bribery and conspiracy scheme to dismiss DWI cases and the 5 APD officers have resigned. DA Sam Bregman ordered the dismissed 196  DWI cases because of the scandal.  The FBI investigation is ongoing and charges are expected.

On February 17 APD Chief Harold Medina and his wife were in a city unmarked APD truck on their way to a press conference with Mayor Tim Keller and were involved in a crash. Chief Medina admitted he ran a red light and admitted he did not have his lapel camera on. The other driver sustained a broken collarbone, shoulder blade, eight broken ribs, and a collapsed lung and was taken to the hospital in critical condition where he underwent 7 hours of surgery for injuries. APD Fatal Crash unit conducted an investigation, prepared a final report and the report concluded that while Chief Medina “did enter an intersection failing to obey the traffic control devise (sic) without activating his emergency lights and sirens … resulting in a vehicle crash causing injury”  the car crash was “non preventable”.  APD has now said that Chief Medina will not be charged.

On April 17 a civil lawsuit was filed in the 2nd Judicial District Court by 7 members of the Albuquerque police academy’s training staff who were dismissed from their duties last summer. The 7 plaintiffs who brought the whistleblower complaint made up the academy’s entire training staff and had more than 100 years of combined experience. They are seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress and harm to their reputations. The lawsuit outlines allegations of nepotism and retaliation by leadership within APD, including APD Chief Harold Medina. It’s likely this latest scandal involving APD has had a further impact on the departments reputation reducing APD’s approval rating even further.

GUT PUNCH TO MAYOR KELLER AND CHIEF MEDINA

Despite the unusual positive spin that APD and Mayor Tim Keller have given to  the Citizen Survey results, neither can take much comfort in the results.   To be blunt, the following Citizen Satisfaction Survey results should be considered a gut punch to APD, Chief Harold Medina and Mayor Tim Keller who have placed tremendous emphasis on public safety over the last 6 years:

63% of city residents are concerned over the direction the city is going.

61% DISAGREE Albuquerque City Government is responsive to community needs.

60% of city resident’s DISAGREE APD doing a good Job addressing property crime.

56% of city residents DISAGREE APD is doing a good job addressing violent crime.

51% disagree APD is ready to transition away from oversight by the federal government and operate on its own.

THE HOMELESS

Since being elected in 2013 to his first term, Mayor Keller has made dealing with homeless a major priority. Over the last 3 years, the Keller Administration  spend about  $50  Million a year to deal with the homeless including expanding services and  establishing the 24/7 Gateway Center. The Health, Housing and Homelessness (HHH) Department provides a range of services to the unhoused. The proposed FY/25 General Fund budget for the HHH Department is $52.2 million, which includes $48 million for strategic support, health and human services, affordable housing, mental health services, emergency shelter, homeless support services, Gibson Health HUB operating and substance use services from Family and Community Services Department, and $4.2 million for a move of Gibson Health HUB maintenance division form General Service Department.

Despite all the millions being  spent each year for the last 6 years, the unhoused continue to be a major concern to the public and the crisis appears to be getting worse despite all the efforts and millions spent by the Keller Administration. According to the Citizen Satisfaction Survey, a plurality of 23% of city residents feel panhandling impacts them and their family the most while 17% of city residents feel homeless encampments impacts them and their family the most for a combined total of  40% for two issues where residents feel they and their family are being impacted the most.

DEFICIENCIES  IN SURVEY

It’s regrettable that the Citizens Satisfaction Survey did not contain any line of questioning regarding the public’s opinion on Mayor Tim Keller’s and the City Council’s job performance. Notwithstanding, the fact that 63% of city residents are concerned over the direction the city is going and that 61% DISAGREE Albuquerque City Government is responsive to community needs sends a strong message to Mayor Tim Keller and the City Council that they do not have much of the public’s support.  It is no secret that Mayor Tim Keller is already preparing to run for a third 4-year term.

The Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey can only be considered a red flag that Tim Keller will have an uphill battle if in fact he seeks a third term.