The Albuquerque Community Safety Department transported 4,311 people in crisis to essential services across the city last year, according to a Mar. 27 statement from the department.
This increase in transports—30% more than the previous year—helped residents access medical care, mental and behavioral health services, detox and substance use treatment programs, emergency shelter, and other critical resources. The department said these efforts are part of an ongoing commitment to provide alternative responses for those experiencing crises related to mental health, homelessness, or substance use.
“Our team works every day to ensure that every person in need is met with care and compassion,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “I am incredibly proud of our responders, who show up each day with professionalism, empathy, and a deep commitment to this community.”
The department reported that momentum has continued into the new year. In 2026 so far, ACS has already transported 841 individuals to care and services. The agency responds to both emergency (911) and non-emergency (311) calls by assessing situations on site and working with individuals to encourage voluntary transport for appropriate support.
ACS teams take people directly from calls for service to destinations based on their immediate needs. These include hospitals or providers offering mental health stabilization or substance use treatment as well as shelters or trusted community-based organizations.
The City of Albuquerque serves as a cultural landmark through venues like the KiMo Theatre—a structure blending Pueblo and Art Deco styles built in 1927—which has fostered community gatherings over decades according to the theater’s history page. The city government operates under a council structure where members elect leadership annually; it focuses on setting goals and approving budgets as described on its official website. Albuquerque’s influence extends across nine geographic districts shaped by historical developments such as the railroad according to the city’s timeline.
As demand for compassionate crisis response grows in Albuquerque’s diverse communities—including areas rich with historic sites—the city continues its focus on connecting vulnerable residents directly with critical resources.
