J o i n U s
Democrats Need You
By Dorothy Wilkinson, WSD Chair
I have some questions for you.
Are you a voter registrar?
Are you willing to register voters at the State Fair?
The Democratic Party of New Mexico needs voter registrars to register voters at the State Fair. If you can register voters and want to volunteer at the state fair September 4-14, go to
https://www.mobilize.us/NMDemocrats/event/830498/ to register or call Sean Ward (cell: 505-303-0123; or office 505-236-4996, Dial 6). Just let Sean know that you are from West Side Dems.
This is a new feature that West Side Dems is sharing until the November 4 local elections. We are asking all of our Democratic candidates for City Council on the West Side for their unedited (except for formatting) responses to questions about
- Public safety
- Immigration
- Federal funding cuts
- Homelessness
- Infrastructure
This week’s questions are about public safety:
- What are your views on the City’s Community Safety Approach to addressing emergency calls?
- What do you believe is the best way to address safety issues releated to such issues as violent crime, burglary, and child/spousal abuse?
These are this week’s answers:
Athenea Allen
Candidate for Albuquerque City Council District 5
Public safety is deeply personal to me. As the wife of Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen and a former federal investigator, I understand the urgency families feel during emergencies and the challenges first responders face every day. My focus is clear: safer neighborhoods, faster Westside response times, stronger accountability for violent offenders, and support for the officers who put their lives on the line for our community.
I strongly support Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, which deploys trained behavioral health and social service professionals to nonviolent calls. This approach frees up police to concentrate on violent crime and investigations, while connecting people in crisis to services that address root causes. To truly improve safety, we need a balanced, comprehensive approach that blends enforcement, prevention, and community investment.
That means investing in technology like ShotSpotter, smart surveillance, drones, and AI-powered tools to better solve and prevent crime. It also means reducing bottlenecks in our judicial system so cases move faster, repeat offenders face real consequences, and victims see justice.
But enforcement alone isn’t enough. Gun violence, domestic violence, juvenile crime, and addiction demand a broader strategy. I’ll champion prevention programs, mental health and addiction services, and stronger partnerships between law enforcement, schools, and community organizations. Together, these efforts can break cycles of crime and trauma while making our city safer.
As someone who has spent my career working in national security, I bring an understanding of investigative processes, accountability, and data-driven solutions. And as the wife of a law enforcement officer, I bring empathy for both officers and the families they serve. Westside residents deserve peace of mind, quick emergency response, and safe, vibrant neighborhoods. I’m ready to deliver real change to make Albuquerque a safer place for all.
Teresa Garcia
Candidate for Albuquerque City Council District 3
As Chair of the City’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission, I know real safety requires systemic and community collaboration. For too long, agencies have worked in siloes. Law enforcement, courts, and nonprofits each doing their part but not fully aligned. Our Commission has been breaking down those barriers, and we’ve already begun implementing key initiatives designed to better serve our community.
This includes intentional, innovative investments: trauma-informed and culturally specific trainings, for systems and law enforemcent and tools that ensure true accessibility. For example, the new restraining order packet will provide language translations, accessible formats for the disability community, and a clear, straightforward filing process. We are also implementing a lethality assessment to identify risks like firearms and strangulation, two of the most dangerous but too often overlooked factors in family violence.
In District 3, we also face urgent challenges with emergency response. Too many families on the Southwest Mesa wait over four hours, or never receive a response, from APD. Our community deserves better. I am committed to working with Southwest Community Policing groups to create innovative solutions. As the former Chair of the SWCPC, its imperative law enforcement work intentionally together with the community.
I also support the Albuquerque Community Safety Department, a 24-hour service that dispatches trained professionals to calls involving behavioral health, substance use, and homelessness. ACS reduces escalation, provides the right help, and frees police to focus on violent crime.
We need accountability where it’s necessary, but true safety depends on prevention, survivor support, and strong collaboration. By investing intentionally and working hand in hand with community, we can build a safer, more responsive Albuquerque.
Ahren Griego
Candidate for Albuquerque City Council District 1
I believe our city does a good job addressing emergency calls, thanks to the dedication of our first responders and dispatchers. Having served Albuquerque as a firefighter and EMT for 24 years, retiring as a Captain, I know firsthand the training, expertise, and commitment that go into every response.
The city’s community safety approach begins with dispatchers, who are the first point of contact. They follow a strict screening protocol to determine whether the situation requires police, fire, EMS, or all three. This is a high-pressure responsibility, and these employees consistently do outstanding work to ensure the right help arrives quickly. From there, emergency response is based on best practices, years of experience, and careful consideration of public safety and legal requirements.
To address safety issues such as violent crime, burglary, and child or spouse abuse, prevention is key. One essential step is maintaining a fully staffed police department. We can reach this goal by increasing our investment in recruitment efforts in local high schools, CNM and UNM, building pathways for young people into public safety careers. This approach also helps deter youth crime by offering meaningful opportunities and positive interactions.
Prevention also means expanding affordable out-of-school programs and mentorship, improving access to behavioral health and crisis response services, supporting neighborhood watch and community policing, strengthening violence prevention initiatives, and investing in safe, well-lit community spaces. These steps build stronger neighborhoods and address the root causes of crime.
Despite prevention, emergencies will always occur. That’s why our first responders train through realistic scenarios, follow chain-of-command models, and operate under procedures and protocols. Public service is demanding and often thankless, but our community must continue to stand by our first responders, value their service, and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make to keep Albuquerque safe. Together we can build public trust.
Daniel Leiva
Candidate for Albuquerque City Council District 1
Vote Daniel Leiva | Daniel Leiva for City Council District 1
Community safety is about quality of life, and every family deserves to feel safe where they live, work, and raise their children. I believe community safety means more than just policing, it’s about making sure every emergency call gets the right response.
For violent crime, burglary, and abuse, we need strong law enforcement coordination and swift intervention. But we also need to invest in prevention and care. That means strengthening Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) so mental health professionals, social workers, and trained responders can handle crises that don’t require an armed officer. By allowing ACS to take these calls, we free up police to focus on serious crime while ensuring residents in crisis get the right kind of help.
For low-level, non-violent offenses, I support diversionary programs like community service, job training, or restitution that hold people accountable while reducing repeat offenses. These alternatives ease the burden on our courts and help people get back on track. At the same time, we must invest in addressing root causes of crime like poverty, housing instability, and lack of services. By strengthening ACS, supporting law enforcement where it’s needed most, and expanding prevention programs, we can break cycles of harm and build safer neighborhoods.
True safety is built when we respond compassionately, hold people accountable, and give families the support they need to heal and thrive. With a balanced approach rooted in collaboration, transparency, and outcomes, we can create a stronger, safer Albuquerque for everyone.
Chris Sedillo
Candidate for Albuquerque City Council District 3
I believe our city does a good job addressing emergency calls, thanks to the dedication of our first responders and dispatchers. Having served Albuquerque as a firefighter and EMT for 24 years, retiring as a Captain, I know firsthand the training, expertise, and commitment that go into every response.
The city’s community safety approach begins with dispatchers, who are the first point of contact. They follow a strict screening protocol to determine whether the situation requires police, fire, EMS, or all three. This is a high-pressure responsibility, and these employees consistently do outstanding work to ensure the right help arrives quickly. From there, emergency response is based on best practices, years of experience, and careful consideration of public safety and legal requirements.
To address safety issues such as violent crime, burglary, and child or spouse abuse, prevention is key. One essential step is maintaining a fully staffed police department. We can reach this goal by increasing our investment in recruitment efforts in local high schools, CNM and UNM, building pathways for young people into public safety careers. This approach also helps deter youth crime by offering meaningful opportunities and positive interactions.
Prevention also means expanding affordable out-of-school programs and mentorship, improving access to behavioral health and crisis response services, supporting neighborhood watch and community policing, strengthening violence prevention initiatives, and investing in safe, well-lit community spaces. These steps build stronger neighborhoods and address the root causes of crime.
Despite prevention, emergencies will always occur. That’s why our first responders train through realistic scenarios, follow chain-of-command models, and operate under procedures and protocols. Public service is demanding and often thankless, but our community must continue to stand by our first responders, value their service, and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make to keep Albuquerque safe. Together we can build public trust.
We need your signature
Westside Democrats, along with Rio Grande Indivisible, have created a resolution to be given to the governor and New Mexico House and Senate leaders ln support of immigrant rights.
Please read it, and if you agree, sign the resolution. You may do so with a click HERE
Thank you so much,
Dorothy Wilkinson
Chair of the Westside Dems
Local Democratic candidates in races on the West Side are invited to submit candidate events to WSD at Info@westsidedems.org by 8 pm Sunday.
State Representative and conservation attorney Matthew McQueen is running for NM Land Commissioner.
Daniel Leiva is running for ABQ City Council District 1. More info HERE
Support Athenea Allen in the race to beat incumbent Dan Lewis!
Ahren Griego is running for City Council District 1.
Chris Sedillo is running for City Council District 3.
WSD Clarifies Its Mission
This is our chance to vote for City Council members who will reflect the values of West Side Democrats and meet the needs of West Side citizens. So we are changing our policy regarding what we publish in our newsletters. We will focus exclusively on issues of the West Side.
Beginning the week of Aug. 10 through Nov. 4, our newsletters will cover elections on the West Side, including City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5 and School Board District 5. We will ask our members to respond to the new emphasis periodically.
Save the Date
Our next meeting is slated for September. It will be a
Candidates’ Carnival. We have applied to use the West Gate Community Center on Sept. 20 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Once we receive approval to use West Gate, we’ll publish it and add it to our website.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Share Your Skills with WSD
WSD is a growing organization in numbers, power and prestige. This is your invitation to become an influential member of our team by volunteering.
If you are tech savvy, volunteer to work with our webmasters. If you take good photos, volunteer to take pictures at our meetings and events. If you are interested in the State Legislature, volunteer to advocate and keep track of legislation. If you’re interested in City Council or County Commission, volunteer to follow their meetings and report to our membership. If you have a little time to call or text, you contact our members about meetings and events.
We need volunteers to help us in our mission to keep the West Side blue and to fight to keep our democracy. If you’d like to write, we have a place for you If social media is your thing, let us know you are willing to help with that. If you’re interested in volunteering in any way, contact chair@westsidedems.org.
Also, if you would like us to cover an issue that we haven’t addressed, contact info@westsidedems.org.
Join Us
Members of West Side Dems are welcome to come to our executive committee meetings. We meet on the first Saturday of the month.
For more information about when and where we meet, contact info@westsidedems.org.
NEW! Protest in Tijeras on Sunday mornings, 9 – 10 am at 487 & NM-333.
NEW! Weekly Friday vigil in Santa Fe, Sandoval, and West Alameda, 12-1 pm.
Join People Against Tyranny every Tuesday 11am to NOON protesting the chaos, divisiveness and cruelty of Donny-2-Dolls’ wreckage! We’re in the Northeast Heights at the intersection of Montgomery and Juan Tabo.
There’s plenty of parking in the shopping centers on each corner. Bring your signs, your voices, noisemakers, bodies and souls, and your friends!
Please do not engage with hecklers (we haven’t had many) and allow pedestrians to get through.
Alamagordo 10 am Every Saturday
Honk and Wave Event Otero County — more info here
Members of West Side Dems are welcome to come to our executive committee meetings. We meet on the first Saturday of the month from 2-4 pm. For more information about where, contact info@westsidedems.org.
So you can’t make a meeting? You can zoom the meeting by accessing info@westsidedems.org and requesting a zoom link. A recording will also be available at westsidedems.org
West Side Dems Immigration Info Hub
“If the rights of one person are denied, the rights of all of us are denied. This concept of mass deportation is very frightening. So West Side Dems will develop a hub of information about immigration and mass deportation.”
— Dorothy Wilkinson
Read Dorothy’s editorial on why immigration is so important.
Click here to see our new IMMIGRATION PAGE, with ways to get involved.
“If the rights of one person are denied, the rights of all of us are denied. This concept of mass deportation is very frightening. So West Side Dems will develop a hub of information about immigration and mass deportation.”
— Dorothy Wilkinson
Read Dorothy’s editorial on why immigration is so important.
Click here to see our new IMMIGRATION PAGE, with ways to get involved.
Our Mission
To Serve the 88,000 Democrats
Living on the West Side
Democrats Care!
We encourage and support candidates who will work for the good of everyone in our community. We believe in a government that is truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”…not just for corporations, Wall Street, or the rich.
United By A Common Goal…
Social justice and human rights are more important than corporate profits. We seek to improve the quality of life for all of our residents through grass-roots support of candidates who listen and work to implement liberal programs and legislation.
Get Involved…
Your candidates can’t win without your help. Canvassing, phone banking, word-of-mouth, volunteering, and donating are all ways to work together to achieve our common goals.