Old Town Safety & Security

Before we can be vibrant, we have to be safe.
Our Neighborhood

A Practical Way to Keep Old Town Safe

Old Town's on-call security program is built on shared responsibility. Property owners, merchants, and residents all benefit from a safer, more walkable Old Town, and all are expected to contribute their fair share to sustain it.

This is not a transactional service or a pay-to-play benefit. It is shared neighborhood safety that works only when the people here take ownership of the place they operate in.

Participation is expected, not enforced

The program relies on neighbors stepping up because they recognize the value of consistent, neighborhood-wide security.

Coverage spans all of Old Town

Security response operates across Old Town as a whole, not as a patchwork of paid and unpaid zones.

This is our neighborhood

Contributions support a common baseline of safety and behavior, not individualized access or entitlement.

Pass-through to tenants is discouraged

Some tenants already participate independently, and safety works best when responsibility is not simply shifted downstream.

Who Contributes

Everyone Has a Role

The security program is sustained by the people who live, work, and own in Old Town. Your contribution is based on who you are and your role in the neighborhood.


Merchants

You operate a storefront in Old Town
  • 24/7 on-call security response
  • Daily patrol of Old Town
  • Incident documentation and reporting

Property Owners

You own one or more parcels in Old Town
  • Coverage for all properties you own
  • Fair share based on tenant count
  • Trespass enforcement on your parcels

Residents

You live in Old Town
  • On-call response for your home
  • Safer streets and walkways
  • Community safety reporting
Fair Share

Property Owner Tiers

Property owners contribute based on the number of tenant businesses on their parcels.

Tier Monthly Tenants on Your Parcels
Tier 1 $25/mo 0 – 1 tenants
Tier 2 $50/mo 2 – 4 tenants
Tier 3 $95/mo 5 – 9 tenants
Tier 4 $125/mo 10+ tenants

Governed by the Bylaws

Per HOTA Bylaws Article 12, HOTA acts as agent collecting funds for pooled services. Each member remains responsible for their share. Security funds are held separately as "Funds Held for Others" — not association income.

Contribute as a Property Owner
On-Call Security

What You Get

QGear LLC provides 24/7 on-call private security for all of Old Town. Anyone within HOTA boundaries can call for service.

  • Daily patrol One patrol daily across the full HOTA boundary and designated parking areas
  • Unlimited on-call response Anyone within HOTA boundaries can call for service, 24 hours a day
  • Incident documentation All activity documented, with weekly reports forwarded via email
  • Trespass enforcement Individuals on property without permission removed per City of Albuquerque ordinance

Security Patrol: (505) 353-7441

24/7 on-call. Call when someone's person, property, or storefront is being threatened. Call 911 first for life-threatening emergencies.

Call Now
Boundaries

Coverage Across All of Old Town

All property owners, merchants, and residents within the Historic Old Town Association boundaries are able to call the security company. Coverage operates across the entire Old Town neighborhood — not patchwork, not limited to contributing members only.

After calling security, post in the community WhatsApp group to keep neighbors informed and avoid duplicate calls. The group link is in the footer of the monthly newsletter.

HOTA Boundaries

The map below shows the on-call security boundaries for Old Town Albuquerque.

Historic Old Town District boundary
FAQ

Common Questions

When should I call security?

Call when someone's person, property, or storefront is being threatened. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 first.

Is this a membership fee?

No. HOTA Membership is free and grants voting rights. The security subscription is a separate contribution to the neighborhood's security program.

What if I'm a merchant and a property owner?

Members can hold multiple types, but each member has one security subscription. If you're both a merchant and a property owner, your fair share is calculated based on your combined role and displayed as a suggestion on your dashboard.

Should I pass costs through to my tenants?

Pass-through is discouraged. Some tenants already participate independently as merchants, and safety works best when responsibility is shared directly.

What does the security officer do?

QGear LLC conducts one daily patrol of the full HOTA boundaries and designated parking areas, responds to emergency calls 24 hours a day, and forwards weekly reports via email.

Can anyone within the boundaries call?

Yes. All property owners, merchants, and residents within HOTA boundaries can call for service, regardless of contribution status.

The Provider

About QGear LLC

QGear LLC is a local private security group operated by Robert Garcia, Director of Operations. The Safety and Security Committee of the Historic Old Town Association selected QGear for its unique advantage: they already patrol surrounding properties and offer a model where anyone within HOTA boundaries can call for service.

All properties fall under the security agreement. There is no checkerboard of covered and uncovered areas — every property in Old Town is covered.


We ask that everyone think about the value that comprehensive on-call security brings to Old Town and what you would be willing to contribute. Be as generous as you can. That is how we will be successful in Old Town. HOTA Safety and Security Committee

Ready to Contribute?

Join the Old Town Portal to set up your security subscription and support the program.

Join the Portal
Old Town Security

Neighbor-funded. On-call. 24/7.

Old Town's security program is how this neighborhood takes care of itself. No waiting on the City, no relying on someone else to act. If you live, work, or own here — this is your program.

Join the Portal →