June 15, 2004
Homicide rate drops
City has seen fewer crimes, officials say
By Iliana Limón
Tribune Reporter
The city's homicide rate dropped 56 percent compared to about this time last year, while overall crime within the city fell 2 percent, according to Albuquerque Police Department statistics released today.
The department investigated 25 homicides from January 1 to June 30 last year, compared with 11 homicides so far this year. City officials released the recent crime statistics in a late-morning press conference today on the steps of the Police Department's Downtown office.
Mayor Martin Chavez lauded the homicide unit's 89 percent success rate of solving crimes, which exceeds the national clearance rate of 62 percent.
"Basically, what it says is, if you commit a homicide in Albuquerque, you will get caught," Chavez said.
He also pointed out overall crime within the city has dropped steadily 18 percent since he took office in January 2002.
Chavez said increasing the number of police officers in Albuquerque to at least 937, granting raises and the department's overall budget helped drive down the crime statistics. He also credited a focus on community-oriented policing, a style favored by Police Chief Gilbert Gallegos which involves officers working more closely with neighborhoods to prevent crime.
While Chavez and Gallegos admit homicides are among the most difficult crimes to prevent because they are immensely unpredictable, they said renewed focus on domestic violence and gangs have made a difference.
The mayor also said he was pleased with the department's crackdown on methamphetamine labs, which have been springing up throughout the city.
Gallegos said he was especially proud of the homicide unit's clearance rate, which both led to arrests of violent criminals and brought justice to victims and their families.
"When you compare that to Washington, D.C., and Chicago areas where their clearance rate is not even 50 percent, it is pretty substantial that we are solving crimes," Gallegos said.
The police chief said a combination of good detectives and crime scene investigators allows the department to solve the homicides.
Chavez said the department will continue aggressive efforts to prevent crime throughout the city.
"Is it good enough? No. If you're a victim or a relative of a victim, then the crime rate is 100 percent," Chavez said of the lower crime statistics.
Gallegos announced the department is re-establishing its Cold Case Squad, with two detectives and support staff to investigate about 150 outstanding homicides.
Well well where is the blood running in the streets? Wasn't there supposed to be murder carnage and mayhem with the passing of concealed carry. Nice to see the mayor and the chief totally disregard the posibility.
Homicide rate drops
City has seen fewer crimes, officials say
By Iliana Limón
Tribune Reporter
The city's homicide rate dropped 56 percent compared to about this time last year, while overall crime within the city fell 2 percent, according to Albuquerque Police Department statistics released today.
The department investigated 25 homicides from January 1 to June 30 last year, compared with 11 homicides so far this year. City officials released the recent crime statistics in a late-morning press conference today on the steps of the Police Department's Downtown office.
Mayor Martin Chavez lauded the homicide unit's 89 percent success rate of solving crimes, which exceeds the national clearance rate of 62 percent.
"Basically, what it says is, if you commit a homicide in Albuquerque, you will get caught," Chavez said.
He also pointed out overall crime within the city has dropped steadily 18 percent since he took office in January 2002.
Chavez said increasing the number of police officers in Albuquerque to at least 937, granting raises and the department's overall budget helped drive down the crime statistics. He also credited a focus on community-oriented policing, a style favored by Police Chief Gilbert Gallegos which involves officers working more closely with neighborhoods to prevent crime.
While Chavez and Gallegos admit homicides are among the most difficult crimes to prevent because they are immensely unpredictable, they said renewed focus on domestic violence and gangs have made a difference.
The mayor also said he was pleased with the department's crackdown on methamphetamine labs, which have been springing up throughout the city.
Gallegos said he was especially proud of the homicide unit's clearance rate, which both led to arrests of violent criminals and brought justice to victims and their families.
"When you compare that to Washington, D.C., and Chicago areas where their clearance rate is not even 50 percent, it is pretty substantial that we are solving crimes," Gallegos said.
The police chief said a combination of good detectives and crime scene investigators allows the department to solve the homicides.
Chavez said the department will continue aggressive efforts to prevent crime throughout the city.
"Is it good enough? No. If you're a victim or a relative of a victim, then the crime rate is 100 percent," Chavez said of the lower crime statistics.
Gallegos announced the department is re-establishing its Cold Case Squad, with two detectives and support staff to investigate about 150 outstanding homicides.
Well well where is the blood running in the streets? Wasn't there supposed to be murder carnage and mayhem with the passing of concealed carry. Nice to see the mayor and the chief totally disregard the posibility.
