Pearce’s plan calls for an interagency law enforcement task force that Holmes would manage day-to-day. Holmes, a former APD officer said she’s no stranger to the problems in that area of SE Albuquerque.

"I spent nearly 10 years as a patrol officer, working that district,” Holmes said.

But, some people find the name, War Zone, offensive.

"A lot of folks in the community view that as a derogatory term," Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said.

As a state senator nearly 10 years ago, Keller brought legislation forward to rename the area the “International District.” He said that name was chosen by community members after 7 town hall meetings.

Some people are trying to put the old name in the past.

"Rome wasn't built in a day, so we not going to change everything overnight. But, this is not a war zone,” said Khadiga Bottom, founder of Visionz-Sankofa, a group that teaches learning to skills to African Refugees in the International District.

"I think whoever is calling us a war zone is sitting up high and looking low,” Bottom said.

However, Holmes is not backing down from her statement.

She released the below statement:

"The families of Albuquerque have told us their stories firsthand. They have suffered from high crime rates for too long. We are saying, enough is enough. We are going to catch the dangerous criminals and keep them off them (sic) streets for good. We are going (to) make every neighborhood safe for New Mexico families.

"Our opponent favors releasing hardened criminals back into our communities by supporting policies like automatic parole, even for murderers. We have one message, not on our watch."