Albuquerque Community Safety Celebrates New Headquarters
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) held a groundbreaking ceremony at its future home at Kathryn and San Mateo. ACS is the newest part of the City’s public safety response system, responding to 911 and 311 calls for mental health, substance use, and homelessness issues.
The new headquarters will provide space for ACS Responder and staff and will contain a dedicated space for training. There will also be a collaborative space for ACS and community members to share ideas and grow together.
“This is the next step in ensuring the people of Albuquerque have a behavioral health response for generations to come,” said ACS Director Mariela Ruiz-Angel.
“It is important to remember, this isn’t the finish line, but the anchor for institutionalizing our work as part of the fabric of the city’s emergency response system. There is much more work needed to insure our response reaches every corner of the city, day or night.”
“This is a landmark investment in public safety and alternative response right in the heart of the International District,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “ACS is making a real difference for people every day in Albuquerque, and the official headquarters will be a place for the department to grow its capacity and deepen its connection with the community.”
“Albuquerque Community Safety has been a game changer for our community. ACS has proven to be solution-oriented and the safe and trusted engagement that folks in our community need,” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa. “This investment in ACS goes to show what an asset they have become to our community and I'm excited to see how this service continues to grow as the headquarters is established.”
Following the ceremony, a community celebration was held at the Adjoining International District Harvest Market. The market brought together community members, community leaders, and other stakeholders, who browsed local vendors and grabbed some lunch at a food truck. Explora also offered an activity for children.
“The Activation of San Mateo and Kathryn is vital to the health of the International District,” said International District Community Development Corporation Executive Director, Alex Horton. “This was once a thriving area. Now, with the markets and ACS, we can breathe life back into this space for the community.”
View more renderings of our future home. The project is funded with General Obligation Bonds. Construction is expected to wrap up next spring.