The Albuquerque Police Department has seen a rise in commercial burglaries since New Mexico confirmed its first COVID-19 case on March 11, according to APD crimes statistics.
There were approximately 50 commercial burglary calls for service each week between March 15 through April 11, up from about 30 weekly calls last year during the same time frame. However, calls for residential burglaries have seen a decrease over those four weeks compared to those reported last year. Home break-in calls ranged from 37 to 58 this year compared to last year’s 60 to 98 calls.
”Common sense would tell you more people are at home, and so we’re less likely to see people break into homes,” APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told the Albuquerque Journal. “Then, conversely, a lot of businesses are closed. We hear it anecdotally but also expect to see more thieves targeting those businesses.”
Calls for auto burglaries have also had a decrease. Car break-in calls ranged from 85 to 113 this year compared to 94 to 135 last year.
“A high number of these in general occur at commercial establishments such as movie theaters, gyms and what not,” APD Deputy Chief J.J. Griego said. ”It may reflect that those businesses are closed and that’s why we’re seeing a decrease.”
Calls related to aggravated assault and battery, disturbance and family disputes have been steady from last year to this year. According to an article by KRQE.com, calls to the APD have decreased overall and the department wants to ensure that people notify them if they see something suspicious.
“Please don’t hesitate to call us, I’d much rather have an officer go out and talk to somebody and it be nothing than it result in a burglary later down the road,” Griego said.
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