State of Albuquerque: Crime, Homelessness, and the Future of a City Under Strain

Albuquerque continues to face escalating challenges across public safety, homelessness, drug trafficking, and citywide infrastructure. Since Mayor Tim Keller took office, the city has recorded 784 homicides, validating Darren White’s claim that more than 750 people have been murdered during Keller’s tenure. Violent crime continues to weigh heavily on public perception and political debate. Homelessness has also surged. The 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count reported an 8% increase, rising from 2,740 to 2,960 individuals. However, recent encampment sweeps and a high refusal rate of 41.4% make the data unreliable. Eddy argues the real homeless population in Albuquerque is closer to 5,000, citing systemic barriers such as lack of documentation, unaffordable rents, and issues with voucher programs. Domestic violence drives more than a third of statewide homelessness, and Diné (Navajo) individuals make up nearly half of Albuquerque’s unsheltered population. Student homelessness is especially alarming: 10,533 New Mexico students were identified as homeless for the 2024–2025 school year. Youth violence is another crisis point. Darren White has proposed a new initiative after the current administration failed to address juvenile crime for eight years meaningfully. The case of 12-year-old Messiah Hayes, transferred to an out-of-state treatment facility after participating in a deliberate murder, underscores the severity of the issue. Drug trafficking remains deeply entrenched. A major bust at Isleta Pueblo uncovered 37,000 fentanyl pills, $38,000 in cash, and a $1.5 million street value supply — raising fears about how much remains on Albuquerque’s streets. Overdose deaths are estimated at 250–500 annually. Meanwhile, the city is expanding surveillance under its “Smart Cities” program — from Chinese opera loudspeakers to deter loitering, to a dramatically upgraded Rail Runner security system with real-time monitored cameras. These technologies reflect both innovation and desperation as Albuquerque attempts to manage mounting urban pressures.