APD Takes Action on Nuisance Property at Pennsylvania and Central

March 2, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – Mayor Tim Keller, APD Chief Harold Medina, and City Council President Pat Davis announced the City’s attempt to shut down a problem business on Central Avenue that has been site of daily crime and drug activity.

APD has responded to hundreds of calls for service over the last two years at or near the Adam Food Market, formerly the In & Out Market, on the northwest corner of Central and Pennsylvania. The City is also proposing changes to the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance that would provide more tools to address problem properties going forward and aims to prevent them from becoming hubs for criminal behavior.

“We cannot allow the negligence of one business to wreak so much havoc in our community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “The violence and illegal activity taking place on a regular basis on this corner of our city must be put to a stop, and we will continue to take every action necessary to clean up problem properties like this.”

“APD investigated six murders at this location – more than any other location in the city,” said Chief of Police Harold Medina. “If that isn’t shocking enough, APD responded to 500 calls and wrote 117 reports during just one year at the business. We have exhausted efforts to make the property safe and it’s time to shut this business down.”

Through the lawsuit filed against the property owners and Adam Food Market LLC, the City seeks the closure of the business for three years, repayment of all expenses incurred by the City, the hiring of licensed, bonded private security to monitor the property daily, and installation of “No Trespassing” signs citing City Ordinance. The City has spent approximately $100,000 for officers’ time responding to calls for service and arrests at this location alone in the past year.

To strengthen prevention efforts, the City is also proposing changes to the City’s nuisance abatement ordinance. The changes would:

• Amend the definition of Public Nuisance to include additional problematic violations not currently covered in the ordinance and add civil finds and administrative procedures
• Add civil fines and method of service, and amend the administrative appeal process for Weed & Litter Ordinance
• Amend the hearing process and adds civil fines to Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment (HEART) Ordinance

“It’s frustrating when property issues snowball to create serious safety threats in our neighborhoods,” said City Council President Pat Davis. “Creating a stronger City ordinance on nuisance abatement will give our City workers more tools to keep our city safe and clean.”