ABQ Times

The Albuquerque Police Department has recently unveiled the preliminary crime statistics for 2023. According to the data released by APD, crimes against property have shown a stable trend with an 18% decrease since 2018. In specific categories, burglary decreased by 16%, motor vehicle theft by 13%, robbery by 41%, and larceny increased slightly by 2%.

Regarding crimes against persons, there was a 19% drop in homicides between 2022 and 2023. Chief Harold Medina of APD emphasized, "We saw a significant decrease in homicides at the same time we continue to solve these cases and bring justice to the families of victims." He further highlighted the decreasing numbers in robberies and auto thefts, attributing it to the intensified efforts to combat quality-of-life crimes like shoplifting and narcotics use.

Mayor Tim Keller expressed his optimism about the progress, stating, "We are encouraged that more enforcement is starting to have an impact." He commended the decrease in crime rates in crucial areas and the record number of solved murder cases. Additionally, APD's focus on felony warrants in 2023 was acknowledged for its role in reducing violent crimes such as armed robberies and shootings.

While crimes against society saw a 49% increase, much of it was attributed to proactive enforcement in drug-related activities and shootings. The enforcement efforts included heightened surveillance on drug possession and trafficking involving substances like Fentanyl, as well as the investigation of bullet casings through the ShotSpotter gun detection system.

The statistics also highlighted a rise in enforcement activities by APD in 2023. There was a 14% increase in felony arrests, a 26% increase in felony warrant arrests, and a significant 28% rise in traffic citations. Moreover, the reporting of crimes through online platforms witnessed a substantial surge of 159%, with a notable 64% increase in telephone reporting from 2019 to 2023.

In conclusion, the released crime statistics provide valuable insights into the progress and challenges faced by the Albuquerque Police Department in maintaining public safety and tackling various forms of criminal activities.