HOUSE MEMORIAL 28

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Kelly K. Fajardo and Rebecca Dow and William "Bill" R. Rehm

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME AND THEIR FAMILIES AND HONORING THEIR LOSS AND SUFFERING.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has one of the highest violent crime rates in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Albuquerque ranks in the top ten most violent United States cities with a population over one hundred thousand; and

     WHEREAS, in 2014, the homicide rate for Albuquerque was at its lowest, with only thirty homicides occurring that year; and

     WHEREAS, in 2021, the homicide rate for Albuquerque increased by forty-six percent to the highest on record, with one hundred seventeen homicides; and

     WHEREAS, victims of violent crime feel frustrated by the high number of repeat offenders; and

     WHEREAS, the high number of repeat violent offenders causes victims, their family members and the public to feel unsafe; and

     WHEREAS, victims of violent crime and their family members face trauma, hardships and grief; and

     WHEREAS, reparations to crime victims are insufficient to compensate victims for their comprehensive losses; and

     WHEREAS, victims of violent crime deserve honor and access to resources;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that victims of violent crime and their families be honored and recognized for their loss and suffering; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the crime victims reparation commission.

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