At its regular meeting on October 20, the Las Cruces City Council approved the Small Business Safety Improvement plan. The initiative will allocate $100,000 to support both new and existing independently owned businesses, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations with 40 or fewer employees, located in the El Paseo/South Solano Metropolitan Redevelopment Area.
The plan aims to help these businesses invest in crime prevention measures. The goal is to create safer business environments and strengthen ties between the business community and local law enforcement. Starting in November, eligible businesses can apply for up to $5,000 to help cover the cost of security equipment such as cameras, locks, sensors, lighting, and fencing.
As part of the program, the Las Cruces Police Community Outreach Unit will provide onsite safety evaluations and suggest further crime-prevention steps. These may include community awareness training, landscaping changes around the business, and Neighborhood Watch programs.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are distributed. The city may expand the program if additional funding becomes available.
During the same meeting, the council approved several other resolutions. These included budget adjustments for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The changes cover new allocations, transfers, and grant adjustments across multiple departments such as Fire, Police, and Parks and Recreation.
The council also accepted two grants: nearly $455,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration for weather-reporting equipment at Las Cruces International Airport and $9,500 for Las Cruces Police Department Honor Guard equipment and training.
Adjustments were made to the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget as well. These cover projects including Klein Park and Tortugas Trail improvements, a new Municipal Service Center, ballfield upgrades, water and wastewater system projects, affordable housing initiatives, solar energy efforts, and airport improvements.
A contract of up to $2.5 million per year was approved with Axon Enterprise, Inc., based in Scottsdale, Arizona. This agreement covers body-worn cameras, data storage services, and nonlethal electrical conducted weapons for the police department. The contract allows equipment replacement and provides for additional purchases as the department grows.
As part of the consent agenda, the council awarded a five-year management contract for the Las Cruces Convention Center to SMG of West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The contract amount is not to exceed $120,000 per year.
All City Council meetings can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.
