Man was attacked while riding his bike in northeast Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A particular section of one of Albuquerque’s busy bike paths has transformed from a gathering place for our homeless population to a crime scene in just a few weeks.

The route runs along the edge of downtown Winrock and through Jerry Cline Park in northeast Albuquerque.

Now a robbery victim is recovering and other neighbors are speaking out about the ongoing cycle of crime and cleanliness issues.

“I estimate I took eight to twelve blows to the head. Without God’s grace and his helmet, I think things would have been very different,” said Jon Beaty, an assault victim.

The victim’s bruises are healing – and the camp is empty – but the neighbors don’t have much confidence that it will stay that way.

“I love it. It’s probably the only sport I do regularly,” said Beaty.

But that changed when he encountered two men as he approached the I-40 bridge on May 9th.

“The burly guy says, ‘Hey, bro, is it OK if I go for a spin?’ And I’ve never been asked that before. There was a bad feeling, I just said, ‘No, that’s fine,'” Beaty said.

They didn’t take no for an answer.

“The next thing I knew I was on the ground,” Beaty said.

He believes the attacker used a backpack with a brick in it to knock him out.

“They just kept hitting me in the head, punching, kicking, whatever they could do until I stayed down and they were able to escape,” Beaty said.

He says they got away with his e-bike, his house keys and his garage opener.

“That’s why it’s probably around $1,900 now,” Beaty said.

Almost three weeks later, his bruises have not gone away.

“I’m pretty sure that cheekbone is broken,” Beaty said.

His increased awareness of a trail he once loved hasn’t changed either.

“I have always had a passion for compassion and doing what I could for these people. But you know, I have a new perspective now,” Beaty said.

This also applies to his neighbor Linda Wood.

“What would be really nice is to be able to just walk through here and not be afraid and be able to enjoy the whole thing,” Wood said.

She’s been keeping an eye on the I-40 pedestrian bridge and the arm of the river beneath it for years. Earlier this month, she sent KOB 4 pictures of a growing encampment in the area. Shortly after Beaty’s attack, it was evacuated by the city.

“Everyone wants to be able to enjoy it. But then we’re too scared to go here, and that’s part of life in this area, which is supposed to be great,” Beaty said.

Wood says the ongoing Winrock project played a role in her purchase of a home in the Snow Heights neighborhood five years ago.

With a grand opening planned for next month at Winrock, Wood has to wonder if she’ll feel comfortable walking into the new amenities.

“I was really happy about that. But I’m too scared to go,” Wood said.

She would like to see more signage and cameras to discourage camping, and more patrols before it increases again. We asked the city about summer plans.

“It’s a collaborative effort in addition to the work we’re already doing with camps,” said Mariel Ruiz-Angel, deputy chief administrative officer.

Ruiz-Angel says this section is a priority due to the alleged crime and proximity to an arroyo during the monsoon.

“Over the next few months, depending on the temperature, there will be many city employees and others present to ensure the space is clean. So we anticipate that this will be an area that will remain clean,” Ruiz-Angel said.

Something Wood and Beaty hope is true.

“It’s very sad and really hurts me that I now feel this way towards other people. Hopefully I can get over it,” Beaty said.

Leaders thank neighbors who use or call 311 to report these encampments and encourage you to continue reporting.

They also say to please be patient as more beds are coming to the Westside Shelter, there are more efforts on the streets and new phases at the Gateway Center are coming as soon as possible.