ACS Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation Saves Life on Second Night of Operation
Just two nights after launching its third annual Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation service, the Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) has already made a life-saving impact.
On the evening of November 2nd, while conducting outreach, the ACS Overnight Shelter Transport team discovered a woman in active overdose.
The team immediately called 911 for assistance and attempted to elicit a response through verbal engagement and sternal rubs; however, she remained unresponsive. They quickly retrieved Narcan and administered it, after which the woman’s condition immediately improved. The team remained on scene until Albuquerque Fire Rescue arrived to provide further care.
“This is exactly why ACS exists, to meet people where they are, in moments of crisis, and connect them to safety and care,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “Our team was out in the community to help people find shelter from the cold, and ended up saving a life. Their compassion and readiness represent the heart of ACS.”
“I’m just grateful to serve our community and to be out there when people need help. That night, we were in the right place at the right time, and that made all the difference,” said Overnight Transport Monitor Abigail Rivera.
Now in its third year, ACS’s Emergency Overnight Shelter Transportation service runs nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., November 1 through March 31, offering transportation to shelter for anyone seeking relief from freezing temperatures. The program ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness—or anyone without access to safe shelter—have a warm place to stay and a connection to supportive services.
In just the first two nights of operation, ACS teams transported over a dozen individuals to local shelters and engaged with many more community members in need of assistance, and even helped save a life. This early success underscores the essential role the service plays in keeping residents safe during Albuquerque’s coldest months.
If you or someone you know needs a ride to shelter, call 505-651-5515. The service operates nightly through March 31, 2026, and is available to anyone seeking transportation to a safe, warm space.