Tenants of problem complex kicked out

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Tenants of a West Side Albuquerque apartment complex were told to pack up their things and move out after the Safe City Strike Force says the landlord missed a 4 p.m. deadline to get the apartments up to code.

The landlord, Ray Trujillo of California, was put on notice last week for numerous code violations and told to replace all the heaters at the Western Palisades Apartments at 1720 Atrisco Drive NW.

A contractor was scheduled to replace the units on Monday, but he hasn't received payment, so all work is on hold.

The city gave the landlord a deadline of 4 p.m. Monday to at least get some work done, but officials said what had been done wasn't enough.

"We're frustrated," said Darren White, the city's public safety director. "I'm not really shocked because we knew what we were dealing with, but now, once we get the people from these apartments relocated, we're going to deal with him (Trujillo). I can guarantee that."

Last week, 10 people, including two toddlers, were taken to area hospitals with carbon monoxide poisoning. Some tenants have been using their ovens and stoves to heat their apartments.

Also, in the past year, police say they've received nearly 100 calls for service at the complex.

Some of the tenants said Monday that not all conditions were bad, although it's now bad enough that they could be left without a home.

"I guess that's how it goes man, really," tenant John Lafon told News 13. "We don't know what to do. That's why we're all standing out here."

Another resident, Nicole Nichols, said, "I told them, at 4 o'clock today, I have nowhere to go. No family. I have my rent money, but that's not going to get me in a place, last month and second month rent."

City officials said another complex in town has offered apartments to the Western Palisades residents for the same rent they're paying now and throw in a free month on top of that.

The city has also made accommodations for residents to stay at local motels. As of Friday only two residents accepted the offer.