APD releases crime statistics for 2024

Albuerque, NM – Mayor Tim Keller and the head of the Albuerque police, Harold Medina, admit that we are not close to where we have to be when it comes to crime in our city, but new preliminary statistics of 2024 prove that we are on the right path.

According to APD data, For the first time in a few years, we have a decrease in aggravated attacks. These offenses decreased by 11% of 2023. The number of shot victims decreased by 14%. The homicides decreased for the second consecutive year, this time by 3%.

As for areas with an increase, the arrests increased by 4%. The arrests of mandate of crime increased by 28% from year to year.

Property offenses were a mixed bag. Theft dropped by 8%. Shoplifting decreased by 4%, and the van has decreased by 2%. However, the burglary increased by 11%.

The chief Medina said that he was not surprised to see that cases of burglary have arisen, especially since the purchase statistics have been low. He said that people who commit these crimes usually try to pay for a drug habit. So, with several shopping applications, those people have focused on burglary.

He also blamed the peak of the burglary number on the Youth Center of Bernalillo County, being capacity in January 2024.

“It starts with the beginning of the year with our inability to reserve the minor criminals. I knew you were committing crimes, we arrested them for them, we could not reserve them, and their crimes continued, ”said Medina.

The facility reached the ability last week for minor male criminals again. The director of the Youth Center of Youth of Bernalillo County, Tamera Mercantel, said it is complete only for about 24 hours. Currently, there are 66 beds for young male and eight criminals are open.

“If we had someone who was accused of murder and I was at capacity, I didn’t have an available bed, I could be that we have to return them,” said Mercantel. “Or we examine where we are, what we know we could come, then we make the most responsible decision we can.”

The staff report at the detention center is an officer on eight residents during the day. At night this report goes from an officer to 16 residents.

Mercantel said he is currently trying to hire about 33 employees. She said before pandemic, the average daily population at the unit was 21 residents. Now, it is 54, with some violent criminals who stay more than 1,000 days.

Mercantel also said that 38% of young people in the unit are there under charges of murder.

Bernalillo County hosts a job fair on Saturday, March 1 for YSC staff, from 10 to 14:00 to YSC. Applicants can visit even their CV. You can Apply online here.