March 2, 2026 Community Hall Newsletter

Hello Albuquerque,

March brought a little bit of everything to our city, from big leaps in public safety to meaningful moments of connection. We’re heading into spring with zingy momentum.

Our Gateway Young Adult Housing and Treatment Navigation Center opens its doors to clients on today. This program will help 18 to 25-year-olds transition to adulthood by offering case management and life skills training. Gateway Young Adult adds a safety net under youth who are exiting foster care or who have experienced housing instability or homelessness by couch surfing or living on the streets. Case managers will work with residents to find housing while community partners will offer workshops to help residents understand financial literacy, budgeting, cooking, rental agreements, rental insurance, turning on utilities as well as job training. 

I appointed Cecily Barker as Albuquerque’s new chief of police, making history as the first woman to lead the department. Chief Barker has served our City for over two decades already and brings deep investigative and field experience, and local heart. Alongside her FBI veteran Raul Bujanda will serve as our new public safety executive director , helping coordinate our police, fire, and civilian efforts to up safety citywide.

We are also collaborating with Albuquerque Public Schools to launch a new Real Time Crime Center connection for better communication and quicker response. It’s another way we’re using top technology to take better care of our kids.

At the same time, we continue to invest in spaces and experiences that bring people together. The BioPark recently unveiled Running Wild, a new exhibit featuring cheetahs and other species, an exciting way for families to connect with wildlife right here in Albuquerque. And I had a fantastic time with our Ismaili neighbors for an Eid al-Fitr breakfast, marking the end of Ramadan and reflecting on the values of generosity, service, and togetherness. Moments like these remind us of the rich variety that makes Albuquerque such a special place.

From amping public safety to upgrading our schools and celebrating nature and culture, March has shown how much we can grow together.

Let’s keep it going,

Mayor Tim Keller

This month, Mayor Tim Keller highlighted:

• Daniel Webster Park Opening 
• Groundbreaking of Casitas del Camino
• AFR Promotion Ceremony