The Albuquerque Police Department recently unveiled its preliminary crime statistics for the year 2023, indicating various shifts in criminal activities within the city. According to APD's presentation available on their website, crimes against property have showcased a stable trend, with an 18% decrease since 2018 when the department adopted the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System.
In terms of Crimes Against Property, specific changes were noted:
- Burglary decreased by 16%
- Motor Vehicle Theft saw a 13% reduction
- Robbery incidents dropped by 41%
- Larceny experienced a modest 2% increase
Regarding Crimes Against Person, homicides witnessed a significant 19% decrease between 2022 and 2023. However, the overall incidents within this category, encompassing most violent crimes, saw a 5% rise from the previous year.
Chief Harold Medina of APD commented on the positive developments, stating, "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."
Mayor Tim Keller also expressed optimism about the progress, highlighting the decrease in key crime areas and the record number of solved murder cases. He mentioned, "Crime is down in key areas and detectives have solved a record number of murder cases."
On the other hand, Crimes Against Society surged by 49%, primarily due to enhanced enforcement in drug possession and shootings. The focus on tackling drug-related crimes, including the trafficking of substances like Fentanyl, has been intensified. Additionally, the investigation of bullet casings through the ShotSpotter gun detection system has been prioritized to combat shootings effectively.
Moreover, the enforcement efforts of APD have shown promising results:
- Felony Arrests increased by 14% from 2022 to 2023
- Felony Warrant Arrests surged by 26% in the same period
- Traffic Citations rose by 28% year-over-year
The community's participation in reporting crimes has also seen a notable uptick:
- Online Reports soared by 159% from 2018 to 2023
- Telephone Reporting witnessed a 64% increase between 2019 and 2023
In summarizing the situation, Chief Harold Medina emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues driving crimes, while Mayor Tim Keller underscored the positive impact of increased enforcement efforts. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community appears to be yielding tangible results in curbing criminal activities within Albuquerque.