Safety and Security

Infrastructure & Facilities

Objective: Act as an active participant and the voice of visitors to bring stakeholders together for a more robust advocacy presence of the tourism industry to prioritize safety.

Albuquerque faces safety and security challenges that impact the tourism experience in the city, reflecting a mixed landscape. According to the Tourism Readiness Index conducted for this project, Albuquerque ranks 10th out of 14 comparable destinations in terms of safety and security. Crime statistics reveal that Albuquerque has a 2.1x higher violent crime rate compared to the total competitive set average, ranking as the second highest after Little Rock. However, the city fares well in other aspects, ranking in the top 5 for LGBTQ+ wellbeing and second highest, along with Santa Fe, for women's wellbeing.

In the context of the local tourism industry, JLL interviewed Albuquerque law enforcement representatives, who acknowledge the strong connection between public safety and the success of tourism. While there has been some direct collaboration between law enforcement and the tourism sector in the past, such as the Connect Program and Downtown ECHO, engagement with law enforcement officials throughout this process demonstrated their willingness in forging a partnership to address safety concerns.

Partner with Albuquerque Entities to Advocate for Comprehensive Safety Solutions

Strategy 1: Represent ABQ’s tourism industry at regular meetings with local government officials, law enforcement agencies, community organizations and residents to discuss safety concerns and develop proactive solutions. This will involve advocating for initiatives, sharing visitor feedback and emphasizing the importance of promoting safe environments for signature ABQ events as a broader strategy. This could include: Involving law enforcement in the event development and planning process, especially for top 10 most popular events, to promote safety and security. Sharing a list of all events with details and dates in ABQ for law enforcement to keep track of. Advocate for the development of a tourism and hospitality task force within organizations charged with the safety and security of Albuquerque, such as APD.
Visit Albuquerque's Role	Partners	Progress Made
	Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) Albuquerque Office of Emergency Management Albuquerque Neighborhood Watch Program
Strategy 2: Collaborate with City agencies, such as the Transportation Department and law enforcement, to support the Bus Safety campaign. Collaboration would involve sharing visitor data on their experience with public transit and advocating for the increased presence of Transit Safety Officers to address safety concerns and provide helpful information to visitors, especially during major events and citywide activities.
	ABQ RIDE (City of Albuquerque Transit Department) Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) Albuquerque Office of Emergency Management
Strategy 3: Share data and input on safety concerns and collaborate with relevant agencies to address them in Downtown areas. One key area includes working with the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency and law enforcement groups to address issues like unlit or dimly lit areas at night and working with partners to increase the overall sense of safety in the evenings and attract more visitors to Downtown.
	Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Albuquerque Neighborhood Watch Program Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA)
Strategy 4: Advocate for increased police presence in high-crime and visitor-facing areas by sharing resident and visitor sentiment data with relevant agencies. This would help ensure that law enforcement resources are allocated appropriately to address safety concerns in areas frequented by tourists.
	Albuquerque Police Department (APD)
Strategy 5: Raise awareness of a menu of safety measures that can be incorporated for big gatherings; examples include police presence on horseback or bicycles, and updated safety procedures in the Albuquerque Convention Center and other venues, ensuring a comprehensive approach to safety during major events while not overemphasizing the need for the increased presence. Create a guide for requesting support from APD for events.* *https://www.cabq.gov/police/crime-prevention-safety
	Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Albuquerque Convention Center (ACC) Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta EXPO New Mexico Event Organizers Entertainment Promoters Sports Organizers

Safety and Security

Infrastructure & Facilities

Partner with Albuquerque Entities to Advocate for Comprehensive Safety Solutions

Visit Albuquerque's Role

Partners

Progress Made