Menaul Blvd is one of Albuquerque's main arteries for commerce and transportation. It's been home to thriving businesses, strong communities, parks, schools, public spaces, and resting places for our loved ones and. However, things have been difficult in the past few years. Homelessness is rising and that has put tremendous pressure upon Menaul Blvd especially. The City even declared Menaul Blvd a blighted area in need of support and redevelopment, meaning it is official City policy to support the strengthening of communities and businesses along Menaul. Unfortunately, City planning officials have issued a permit for just the opposite: a "Safe Outdoor Space" to be placed near the intersection of Menaul Blvd and University Blvd, adjacent to hotels, schools, businesses, and the historic Santa Barbara-Martineztown neighborhood.

Homelessness is a City-wide problem and we understand that there is no simple solution to this problem. We know we can't simply make it illegal for people to exist. We know housing is expensive. We know there's an epidemic of mental illness and drug abuse which is exacerbating the problem. We also know calling the police doesn't stop the wave of petty crimes, drugs, sexual assault - they're overwhelmed and can't respond to the wave of calls generated daily involving homeless people on the streets. But we can't accept the City's proposal to sacrifice lives and livelihoods along Menaul Blvd in the name of an ill-advised social experiment.

We saw what happened when Coronado Park became a "no-go zone". We were shocked at the conditions there, and were even more shocked when the City shut down the park without any plan for what came next. Now the City is turning an area along Menaul Blvd into another homeless encampment, again not planning for the challenges this encampment will inevitably create. The citizens and businesses along Menaul Blvd do not accept this as a solution to our city's homelessness crisis.

So, what can you do? First, sign this petition expressing your opposition to the Menaul Blvd Safe Outdoor Space. Send the petition to as many people as you can. Spread the word on social media so that more people can join in opposing this proposal. Beyond spreading the word about what is going on, educate yourself! Call your City Council representative and members of the City planning department. Ask them to tell you about the permit for the Safe Outdoor Space on Menaul Blvd. Ask them what kind of security plan exists. Ask them how people there are expected to eat, receive medical care, stay safe at night, and keep the rest of our communities safe? If you don't like their answers, tell them! Safe Outdoor Spaces are experimental ideas for problems that deserve real solutions. The homeless need our compassion, our support, and concrete assistance. The City must provide real solutions for the homeless that do not impose major health and safety burdens on neighborhoods, communities, and the people of Albuquerque.