[NMCycling] Homeless under Montgomery on North Diversion Channel

[Craig M. Doolittle via Bike-racers]

Hello,

As many of you know there is a persistent and consistent problem of homeless under the Montgomery underpass on the North Diversion Channel multi-use path.  My opinion is that this is because the underpass is only a block or so east of the I-25/Montgomery intersection which is heavily worked by panhandlers.  I believe they work that intersection in shifts and take shelter/breaks in the underpass.

I regularly commute on this trail and have always been worried in that area.  I always make it a point to say hello and am always friendly.  Hopefully they will get to recognize me and be nice in return.  Most of them are friendly, the regulars often saying hello to me back.  However, some of them are clearly not friendly and make other comments to me.   If one person were to shoulder check a bike rider, the rider would most likely crash and be stunned.  That opens up the opportunity for the rider to be beaten and robbed before they have regained their senses.

One night last week there were about a dozen homeless in the underpass, 3 of them clearly inebriated and arguing with each other right in the middle of the path.  After carefully making my way through I took the time to call 242-COPS and file a report and request the police clear the path.  The police keep track of incoming calls and keep statistics on them.  I also called 311.  The 311 operator suggested I call the police.  I informed her that I had already done that, and she suggested she could take a complaint report and provide it to Parks and Rec, who she said were in charge of the bike paths (is that true?).  However, I was specific with her that I wanted to file a complaint and I wanted it forwarded to the mayor's office.  Today I received a phone call from Thomas Tozier from the Mayor's Constitute Office to discuss my complaint.  I explained everything to him and told him I wanted an increased police presence in that area to remove the homeless form the trail and make it safe for users.  I acknowledged the work the city has/was doing on bike paths/lanes, the 50 mile loop, etc., but also pointed out that if someone was mugged or worse in that underpass that it would drastically undercut the city's effort at promoting bicycles.

I would like to encourage all of you to call BOTH the police and the mayor's office (311 and request complaint be forwarded to mayor's office) each and every time there is a group under the bridge.  Perhaps if there are enough complaints, something may get done.

I don't want to get into any arguments regarding homeless, panhandlers, etc.  There are shelters and organizations in the city willing to help those in need.  They don't need to be sleeping on the trails, standing in large groups in the middle of the path etc.  I am sure they have rights, but so do I, and a right to be reasonably safe on the path is one of mine.

Craig


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