The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has released the city’s crime statistics for the first quarter of 2018 (January to March) comparing them to the first quarter of 2017, (January to March).

Looking at the numbers, property crime is down, but it’s the homicide rate that continues to be alarming.

Here’s a look at the crime stats for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period last year:

Traffic Stops

2017: 7,940
2018: 13,586
Change: +71%

Auto Burglary

2017: 3,256
2018: 2,234
Change: -31%

Auto Theft

2017: 1,904
2018: 1,668
Change: -12 percent

Commercial Burglary

2017: 56
2018: 477
Change: -6%

Residential Burglary

2017: 1,102
2018: 1,022
Change: -7%

Robbery

2017: 722
2018: 393
Change: -46%

Aggravated Assault:

2017: 926
2018: 840
Change: -9%

Non Fatal Shootings:

2017:27
2018: 27
Change: 0%

Rape:

2017: 111
2018: 96
Change: -12%

Homicides:

2017: 12
2018: 18
Change: +50%

MURDER RATE IS ALARMING

There were 6 more murders in the first quarter of 2018 compared with 2017 which is a 50% increase.

Property crimes by far are more common than murders.

The fact is, murders do not drive property crime trends, but it is the other way around.

A murder is usually committed when another crime is being committed such as armed robbery or domestic violence or it’s a crime committed in the heat of anger and a gun is readily available.

It’s difficult at best to bring down homicide rates, but it can be done when you bring down other violent crime such as armed robbery, aggravated assaults, illicit drug offenses and domestic violence.

In March of this year, 5 homicides were reported in six days!

Albuquerque has had twenty (21) homicides reported in 4 months thus far and counting! Albuquerque had 12 murders in the first quarter last year.

In 2017, violent crime rose by 18% over the previous year.

Since 2012, violent crime has dramatically increased in Albuquerque by 77%. The 77% increase in violent crime in 2017 was still significantly less than “nonfatal shootings” which increased by a whopping 148%.

According to APD statistics released for 2017, homicides increased by 23%, robberies increase by 43%, rapes increased by 21% and aggravated assaults increased 4.2%.

The dramatic increase in crime in 2017 followed a 15.5 percent increase in violent crime in 2016.

CONCLUSION

The good news is that Albuquerque’s property crime rates for the first time in a number of years are declining.

The bad news is that our violent crime rates are still way too high.

In other words, your property may be safe, but you may want to carry a gun.