This story was originally published by ProPublica During his reelection campaign last fall, the mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, criticized his challenger for suggesting the city should get tougher on the homeless population. Such an approach would be cruel, Tim Keller said during a televised debate with former County Sheriff Darren White. The city clears […]

AI Summary:

During his reelection campaign, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller opposed harsher measures against the homeless, stating that arresting people is not a solution. However, a ProPublica analysis reveals that under his leadership, arrests related to homelessness have surged. In 2025, charges for obstructing sidewalks increased nearly sixfold compared to the previous eight years, with over 3,000 trespassing charges also recorded.

The jail population has seen a drastic rise, with nearly 12,000 bookings classified as homeless in 2025, up from 3,670 in 2022. Many of these citations lead to bench warrants and subsequent arrests, as individuals often miss court dates due to lack of communication.

Keller acknowledges that jail is not a solution but defends police actions as lawful. He emphasizes that Albuquerque provides resources before making arrests, although many homeless individuals report feeling targeted. Critics argue that the city’s approach exacerbates the crisis, with rising citations and arrests failing to address the underlying issues of homelessness.