ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Neighbors in Northeast Albuquerque are pushing for better security on a popular walking and biking path after they say it’s become unsafe for the community. “I would like to be able to walk the trail to go to Winrock to even come through here to come to the park,” said concerned neighbor, Linda Wood.
The Paseo de las Montanos path along the Embudo Arroyo in the heights attracts runners, walks, and bicyclists alike but one neighbor says it’s no longer a safe place to be. “I’m too afraid to walk it most of the time and if I do I have pepper spray, I have a personal alarm I have a taser all on me the whole time,” said Wood.
Wood said the trail has basically become a ‘free for all’ for crime and is plagued by encampments, trash, and drugs. “The encampments…bad, and it’s the garbage and all of that but the drug use it’s just rampant,” said Wood.
Neighbors have found needles all along the path and after a year of calling 311 to clear it, Wood wants a more permanent solution. “The bike cops would be great for doing constant patrols because nobody wants, they are not going to do their drugs where they know there could be a cop coming any time,” said Wood.
There is already a bike cop patrol through the Albuquerque Police Department, however, Wood says this path isn’t one they monitor. Wood would like to see more oversight, whether it’s from APD or another city department. “I just feel like if you have all of these resources involved then you can eliminate all of the problems going on on these trails,” said Wood.
To gain support, Wood started a petition and asked people who signed to share what issues they’ve encountered. “They’re tired of it, they don’t want to do it they feel like they have no support from the city,” said Wood.
The petition has nearly 400 signatures so far and Wood says, she’s not going to give up until she sees change. “If I stop then that means I have to sell my house and move and I don’t want to but I want to live safe,” said Wood.
KRQE News 13 asked APD about the department’s plan to combat crime along the bike path. Chief Harold Medina in a news conference said,” We did make a move a couple months ago. We’re asking our Open Space officers to hit some of the trails more within the city. Specifically, those along I-40, and some of the areas we’re getting a lot of complaints about unhoused individuals who are disrupting individuals who are trying to get through the area who set up encampments. You know, the bottom line is, we’re focused on felony warrants.”