ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – More and more crime-ridden motels are getting shut down by the city of Albuquerque. Now, leaders are proposing new legislation to make it easier for the city to step in.
“These hotels that we’ve seen I, mean look, we’ve got dozens of felony warrants, we have shootings, we have illicit adult enterprise, prostitution, trafficking, not to mention all sorts of fire code violations, toilets that won’t flush, heaters that don’t work in the middle of winter,” said Mayor Tim Keller. He said the city of Albuquerque is encountering them far too often. Now, the city’s planning department is requesting new legislation through the city council to keep motels and hotels in check.
“Right now, there’s too many problem properties that are happening in the city when it comes to this. The planning department again came to me to see they can get help on sponsoring the bill in order to enforce and keep things safe, upkept, and crime free,” said Brook Bassan, Albuquerque City Council President. In recent months, the city shut down Tewa Lodge, Loma Verde, and Bow and Arrow Lodge, all on Central Ave., which they said were overwhelmed with criminal activity and substandard living conditions.
Under the proposal, motels and hotels that have three or more code violations within a year would be subject to monitoring by the city and, if they don’t shape up, could face penalties including fines up to 500 dollars per day and, ultimately, closure. During that 12-month “compliance period,” those property owners must also keep copies of guests’ IDs, their license plates, and how long they stay.
“Is designed to help make sure that when a hotel does remain in operation, that has been problematic that it is at least at the very least making sure that its hotel that’s operating with legitimate guests as opposed to operating as haven for fugitives or criminals,” Alan Verela, Director of Planning Department in Albuquerque.
Mayor Keller said the idea is to help address problems before a shutdown becomes necessary. “It’s saying, ‘Hey, if you would just keep track of what license plate should be or not be in the parking lot, then actually law enforcement can crack down on this without having to close your hotel,” said Mayor Keller. The proposed ordinance has yet to be heard in the city council.