Albuquerque Community Safety Responders Provide Critical Support to Stranded Family in Crisis
Mother and Child Receive Emergency Aid, Shelter, and Hope
ALBUQUERQUE - When a cross-country trip suddenly turned into a crisis, Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) responders stepped in with compassion and quick action to make sure a mother, her 12-year-old daughter, and dog were safe, cared for, and supported.
On a recent Sunday, ACS responded to a 9-1-1 call from a distressed mother whose vehicle broke down near Central and Eubank while traveling from California to North Carolina. The family, including their pet dog, was out of funds after losing access to their debit card. The mother, also diabetic, was in urgent need of insulin.
Behavioral Health Responders (BHR) Isaiah Curtis and Sherii Miera responded quickly, helping the mother find a tow service she could afford. With limited resources and most businesses closed, the team coordinated with a local mechanic who opened on his day off to receive the vehicle.
Recognizing the urgency of the mother’s medical needs, the team transported her and her daughter to the hospital for an insulin refill. In coordination with Joy Junction, ACS secured temporary shelter, and the city’s Animal Welfare department arranged safe care for the family dog.
“We knew they were not familiar with resources in Albuquerque, and we needed to help them find some,” said Sherii Miera. “Our goal is to meet people where they are, help them find calm in a stressful situation and give them hope.”
ACS Responders also provided emotional support to the daughter, who suffers from panic attacks. Sherii helped de-escalate her anxiety by connecting over a shared love of anime, using compassion and understanding to build trust in the moment.
“This is the kind of real-world impact our community safety responders make every day,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Because of the quick thinking and care of our responders, a family in distress got shelter, medical care, and peace of mind.”
ACS responders ensured the family left with hope, support and resources for the road ahead – showing how empathy, trauma-informed care, community collaboration, and resourcefulness can make a life-changing difference.
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ACS is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.