APD Reports 61 Percent Decrease in Robberies during Recent Holiday Tactical Plan
Jan. 25, 2019
The Albuquerque Police Department released results from its Holiday Tactical Plan to deter crime during the recent holiday season.
In addition to the higher visibility of police officers in shopping districts, APD’s Robbery Unit dedicated 23 officers and 4 supervisors to immediately respond to, and follow up to robbery incidents. As a result, the city saw a 61 percent decrease in overall robberies in December 2018, compared to December 2017.
“Crime doesn’t stop for the holidays so we wanted to tackle it head on with strategies to protect people and their property,” said Mayor Keller. “That’s why APD is focusing on proven, tactical operations like this one. There’s no doubt, the most pressing problem in our city is crime, and we’re not going to let up our efforts to make our city safer.”
“Community policing was at the heart of our efforts to deter and fight crime during the holidays,” APD Chief Mike Geier said. “I am just as proud of the personal contacts that officers made with businesses and individuals, as I am with the reduction in robberies. It’s all connected.”
Officers from several of APD’s Area Commands joined with specialized units, like Robbery, Special Investigations, Criminal Investigations, Tactical teams, Traffic Unit and the Real Time Crime Center to coordinate the plan. They patrolled neighborhoods and shopping areas.
Here are results from the operation, which ran from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day:
- Community Contacts: 1,582
- Calls for Service: 431
- Robbery Calls for Service: 13
- Stolen Merchandise returned: $11,000
- Recovered Firearms: 4
- Felony Arrest: 62
- Felony Warrant: 21
- Misdemeanor Arrest: 58
- Misdemeanor Citations: 47
- Moving Violations:142
- Parking Citations: 37
- Verbal Warnings: 6
- Auto Burglary: 1
- Shoplifting: 42
- Towed Vehicle: 5
- Reports: 154
- Traffic Stops:63
- Handicapped parking violations:16
- On-site activity: 284
- Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 3
- K9 apprehensions: 1
- DWI arrests: 5