Frontier Road residents urge Taos council to address tents, fires and trespass near The Nest shelter

Multiple residents spoke during the Town of Taos citizens forum on Feb. 25 about ongoing public-safety and quality-of-life problems on Frontier Road near The Nest shelter and other nearby properties.

Lexi (last name not given) said she and her husband moved to Frontier Road in May 2023 into a family home and have since called police “at least a dozen times” and the fire department several times because unhoused people set fires, broke into property and left carts and other items. She said tents frequently appeared on a field adjacent to the Nest shelter, that the area is littered with trash and that some individuals have engaged in “illegal activities” and “drug dealing.” Lexi said neighbors have been alarmed and that the situation is “far from solved.”

Gina Jasmine, who identified herself as a homeowner on Frontier Road, said trespassing, trash and disrespectful behavior escalated as the Nest transitioned to a crisis resource center; she said her house was broken into and “a gentleman experiencing homelessness was living there.” She thanked police and fire personnel for responses and said the town is “seeking solutions.”

Property owner Sean Collard said he supports his neighbors’ comments, has called police himself and told the council the property is not unobserved. He and other speakers said police cleared many tents after a property-owner request on Feb. 15 but that tents and encampments returned in some places.

Speakers urged a combination of responses, including more frequent patrols, a security presence near The Nest day and night, better coordination between the shelter and town services, and formation of a community or coalition board focused on homelessness response and resources. Lexi asked the council to study models used elsewhere; councilors referenced Alamosa as an example offered by a neighbor.

Assistant Town Manager Jeff Flores and Public Works Director Reynold Vasquez acknowledged the complaints, and Flores said staff had worked with police and fire to clear many tents and that staff could begin low-cost interventions such as additional signage or other measures while longer-term coalition or resource solutions are explored. No formal action was taken at the Feb. 25 meeting; the residents’ comments were recorded during the citizens forum, a period during which no action may be taken under the agenda rules.

Council members expressed sympathy and concern and asked staff to continue coordination with public safety and shelter partners. Several councilors noted the issue is complex and involves people who decline shelter services as well as those who accept them; councilors encouraged staff to return with potential operational and community-based approaches.