Las Cruces City Council passed an ordinance that amended two solicitation bills and established a new shopping cart ordinance at Monday's six-hour meeting.

The meeting included more than two hours of public comment where supporters described the ordinances as necessary steps toward addressing public safety and the city's unhoused population, while opponents said the legislation did nothing but criminalize unhoused people instead of focusing on improving affordable housing options and increasing services that address substance abuse or mental health issues.

"I would like my tax dollars to go towards arresting the drug dealer that lives down my street," said New Mexico Sen. Carrie Hamblen. "I encourage you to focus more on real solutions and not trying to hide the homeless because that is what this is doing."

The amended solicitation bills and the shopping cart ordinance each passed with a 4 to3 vote with Mayor Eric Enriquez and Councilors Cassie McClure, Bill Mattiace and Becki Graham in favor. Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo and Councilors Yvonne Flores and Becky Corran voted against the amendments.

To see the full story, visit the Las Cruces Sun-News.