ALAMOSA — Sunday evening, the Alamosa Police Department (APD) received a call regarding a sexual assault at the housing development known as Horizon Heights located on Old Airport Road in south Alamosa.
According to APD Captain Sam Maestas, the call came in around 10:00 p.m. “I have a detective on the case and we’re investigating,” Maestas says, but no further information is available at this time.
Horizon Heights is a new housing development comprised of one and two-bedroom cottages that were just recently rented with new tenants moving in. Described as housing to temporarily fill the gap for those who are experiencing challenges with renting a place to live and a lack of housing that is both affordable and available, Horizon Heights has been viewed as an innovative solution by the city to address the housing shortage in Alamosa.
While owned by the city of Alamosa, the property is under the management of the San Luis Valley Housing Coalition (SLVHC) and executive director Dawn Melgares.
Melgares said, “I have provided access to the camera footage to the investigator and will continue to do as needed. We have a state-of-the-art camera system with clear pictures and an angle of every unit and entry/exit for the property to help further this investigation and keep our residents safe.”
Melgares also brought up other safeguards that are in place. “We do have a staff member living on site and staff is on site throughout the day as we start to move people into units.”
Despite the incident being unsettling just as the project is getting underway, Melgares and SLVHC remain committed to what they, along with the city of Alamosa and other partners, set out to do. “SLVHC knows this will be a learning experience for everyone, staff and residents alike, and helping people better their lives is always a good thing. We do not regret this opportunity.”
