In 2024, a coalition of community organizations, behavioral health providers, and frontline advocates came together in response to a dangerous wave of “tough on crime” legislation threatening to deepen the criminalization of poverty, homelessness, and mental health crises in New Mexico. What began as a unified letter signed by 41 organizations quickly became a powerful, people-powered movement—defeating the governor’s punitive proposals during a special legislative session. These bills would have expanded coercive treatment, criminalized homelessness, and imposed harsher sentences—all while ignoring the root causes of instability in our communities. We stood firm, knowing that locking people up doesn’t solve poverty, addiction, or lack of access to care—it only deepens the crisis.

Since then, our coalition has evolved into a strategic, policy-driven force: the Public Safety Coalition, and now, ALL SAFE NM. We are not just reacting to harmful legislation—we are building a 2-5 year Public Safety Playbook that centers community care over criminalization. Our work is grounded in the lived experiences of those most impacted—People of color, queer, trans, working-class, and women-led communities who have long borne the brunt of punitive systems. We know that real safety doesn’t come from more police or longer sentences—it comes from housing, healthcare, economic opportunity, and dignity for all.

As we enter 2026, ALL SAFE NM is launching with renewed purpose and expanded membership. We are partnering with legislators, community leaders, and directly impacted people to advance policies that address the structural drivers of harm: lack of mental health services, unaffordable housing, and systemic underinvestment in our neighborhoods. We are not waiting for permission to build a safer, more just New Mexico—we are doing it together, one bill, one conversation, one community at a time. Because when we invest in people, we invest in safety for everyone.