ABQ Times

City of Albuquerque issued the following announcement on May 15.

Mayor Tim Keller and APD commanders announced operations to stop street racing and burglaries at businesses. APD officers are also working to break up parties before they turn violent.

“APD officers are working hard to stop street racing, target burglaries at businesses and break up house parties to prevent gun violence that claims innocent lives,” Mayor Keller said. “While officers are dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 virus, they continue their work to keep the community safe.”

APD’s Party Intervention Team has responded to 128 call about parties and loud music since April 4. The team is focused on breaking up parties before they turn violent. In the future, offices will be able to refer first-time offenders to the Rapid Accountability Diversion program. The program is being designed to offer young offenders an opportunity for education, rather than a criminal record.

During a media briefing today, Mayor Keller also highlighted APD’s efforts to target repeat commercial burglars who are taking advantages of stores being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Detectives are focusing on catching offenders during burglaries, as well as building cases linked by finger prints. They are targeting suspects still actively committing burglaries, and work with DA’s Office on indictments or preliminary hearings.

“The goal is to get these drivers of property crimes off the streets,” said Acting Commander Luke Languit. “By putting them in jail on their warrants, even if they are in jail for a day or a week, that’s a day or week where they are not committing burglaries.”

APD is also targeting street racing throughout the city. Officers are noting an increase of drugs and firearms as they break up street racing and large gatherings of vehicles and car clubs.

“We realize people want to venture out onto the streets of Albuquerque,” Mayor Keller said. “But we need folks to be responsible and avoid dangerous activities like street racing. APD will be out in force, keeping communities safe.”

Original source can be found here.