APD Thanks Officers for Safe Balloon Fiesta

Mayor Tim Keller and APD Chief Harold Medina thanked police officers for their work to keep the city and thousands of visitors safe during a successful 2023 Balloon Fiesta. The City also highlighted new technology, WarrantTrack, that will allow officers to monitor and pursue arrest warrants throughout the city.

“Officers throughout the department pitched in and stepped up to make the city safe during this world class event,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re equipping APD with the tools and technology to clean up our streets year-round and make more warrant arrests.”

“Our officers provided a safe environment for what amounts to 16 Super Bowls over nine straight days,” APD Chief Medina said. “I hope the entire city takes the time to thank their police officers for work that often goes unrecognized. They worked long and hard hours and went right back to patrols and investigations to keep Albuquerque safe.”

Earlier this year, APD announced a series of operations targeting felony arrest warrants, retail crime and shoplifting, and clean up Central Avenue.

The City recognized that making key felony arrests is a way to make an immediate difference for safety in Albuquerque, and APD has been doing targeted warrant operations. APD has cleared 5,064 warrants since the beginning of the year and continues to make warrants a priority. APD is clearing around 100 more warrants each month in 2023 than the department was in 2022.

During the Balloon Fiesta, operations included high visibility and undercover plans at hotels, in shopping districts and at Balloon Fiesta Park during the events. This year’s Balloon Fiesta saw record high attendance, specifically on Saturday, October 14, 2023, when the eclipse occurred over Albuquerque. With the continued advancement in technology and training, APD officers are able to prepare for events of this magnitude and be more efficient during everyday operations.

In the days following the end of the Balloon Fiesta, APD officers conducted another warrant operation. Field officers made 45 felony arrests, 47 misdemeanor arrests, and cleared 39 felony warrants during the three-day operation.

Officers now have access to a new technology, WarrantTrack, that will allow them to pull up a GPS map on their phones, select a certain area of the city and individuals with outstanding warrants, and access known locations of residency. Officers will have real-time knowledge of individuals who have warrants and will then be able to proactively contact these individuals.

Visit the website for APD’s most recent crime statistics.