Rio Rancho Mayoral Candidates Debate Crime Spillover from Albuquerque

Candidates weigh in on whether crime is "creeping up the hill" from Albuquerque into the City of Vision.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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As Rio Rancho prepares for its mayoral election on March 3, the city's six candidates are weighing in on whether crime is spilling over from neighboring Albuquerque. While some candidates believe Rio Rancho is seeing an influx of homelessness and crime, others argue the issues are more localized. The candidates discussed the need to retain and better compensate Rio Rancho's police force to address any potential rise in criminal activity.

Why it matters

Rio Rancho has historically had lower crime rates than the rest of New Mexico, but some residents believe that is changing as the city experiences growth and potential spillover from Albuquerque. The mayoral election will determine how the city responds to these concerns and whether it can maintain its reputation as a safe community.

The details

The six Rio Rancho mayoral candidates offered differing perspectives on the issue of crime in the city. Corrine Rios and Michael Meek believe crime is "creeping up the hill" from Albuquerque, citing an increase in homelessness and the need to pay police officers more competitive wages to retain them. Paul Wymer and Alexandria Piland acknowledged a perceived rise in crime, but said it is isolated to certain areas. Zach Darden pointed to data showing 97% of residents feel safe, while Aleitress Owens-Smith argued the crime is coming from within Rio Rancho itself, not Albuquerque.

  • Early voting ends on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • Election day is Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The players

Corrine Rios

A Rio Rancho mayoral candidate who believes the city is seeing more homelessness and crime spillover from Albuquerque, and that the solution is to pay police officers higher wages to retain them.

Paul Wymer

A Rio Rancho mayoral candidate who acknowledges a perceived rise in crime "creeping up the hill" from Albuquerque, but says it is isolated to certain areas.

Alexandria Piland

A Rio Rancho mayoral candidate who believes the city's empty police positions and officers leaving for other agencies are contributing to any increase in crime.

Zach Darden

A Rio Rancho mayoral candidate who cites data showing 97% of residents feel safe, and wants to maintain the city's positive rapport with law enforcement.

Aleitress Owens-Smith

A Rio Rancho mayoral candidate who argues the city's crime issues are coming from within the community, not from Albuquerque.

Michael Meek

A Rio Rancho mayoral candidate who believes crime is "creeping up the hill" from Albuquerque and that the solution is to pay police officers the highest wages in the state.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing more homeless in Rio Rancho than we ever have before, and it is spillage from Albuquerque. How to fix it? We need more police officers. We need to give our police officers a competitive wage.”

— Corrine Rios, Mayoral Candidate (kob.com)

“I think there is a reality, or certainly a perceived reality, that that there is crime creeping up the hill. And I don't know how else to put it, because that's what it seems like is happening.”

— Paul Wymer, Mayoral Candidate (kob.com)

“We need to start paying our police officers at the same level as the other stage that other departments.”

— Alexandria Piland, Mayoral Candidate (kob.com)

“The last State of the City report, it said that 97% of residents in Rio Rancho felt safe in their community. So that shows that law enforcement is doing a fantastic job up there.”

— Zach Darden, Mayoral Candidate (kob.com)

“I've got to say no, because I've been active in the community, actually talking to the residents, and the crimes actually been coming from our actual residents. That's actually being homeless in our community, which I thought was strange, because they made it seem like everything was coming from Albuquerque is actually taking place here in Rio Rancho.”

— Aleitress Owens-Smith, Mayoral Candidate (kob.com)

What’s next

Early voting ends on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and election day is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Voters in Rio Rancho will choose the city's next mayor, who will be tasked with addressing any concerns over rising crime and homelessness.

The takeaway

The Rio Rancho mayoral candidates have differing views on whether crime is spilling over from Albuquerque, with some believing it is a growing issue that requires better police compensation, while others argue the problems are more localized. Regardless, the election will determine how the city responds to these public safety concerns and works to maintain its reputation as a safe community.