ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A judge has ruled that the homeless encampment at Quirky Used Books & More in Nob Hill must be dismantled by January 20, following an emergency order from the City of Albuquerque that declared the property a public nuisance.
Since July 2024, owner Gillam Kerley has permitted roughly 12–18 individuals to set up tents in his parking lot, providing them access to water, electricity, restrooms, and heater access inside his bookstore during business hours. Kerley asserts this arrangement was created to offer a “safe space” amid rising public camping restrictions.
Neighboring businesses say the encampment has led to rampant issues, including vandalism, discarded needles, human waste, fires, and public drug use. One local real estate owner said they find feces and trash littering shared property.
Safety Incidents
- A large fire broke out in late December, destroying at least five tents—though no injuries were reported—and is believed to have originated in one of the tents.
- In November, a deadly shooting occurred outside the store’s parking lot. Authorities say it stemmed from an altercation involving at least one person living in the encampment.
City of Albuquerque’s Position
The city’s emergency filing highlights:
- Dozens of arrests at or near the encampment during undercover operations focused on drug trafficking.
- The accumulation of public safety hazards—including fires, drug activity, and criminal incidents—as justification for declaring the site a nuisance. City Attorney Lauren Keefe stated:
“It is time for this to come to an end… In the past two months alone, there has been a homicide, ongoing drug trafficking, and now a large fire”.
Legal analysts added that declaring the bookstore a nuisance could allow the city not only to clear it but, if problems persist, potentially seek to seize or force the sale of the property.
Kerley maintains that his actions are constitutionally protected and driven by compassion toward people with limited housing options. He says he does not tolerate disruptive behavior and evicts violators. He also stressed that city-provided shelter capacity remains insufficient.
With the judge siding with the city—while acknowledging Kerley’s intentions—the camp must be dismantled by January 20. It’s unclear what specific relocation plan will be implemented for current residents.
