Downtown Albuquerque crime has dropped significantly across multiple categories after a year of intensified police enforcement, with shootings down 20% and sex crimes plummeting 61.5%, city officials announced Wednesday.
The Albuquerque Police Department will continue its strict enforcement approach in the downtown area after seeing measurable success from targeted resources deployed in summer 2024, Mayor Tim Keller and APD officials said in a press release.
“We made a promise and now we’re seeing results,” Keller said in the release. “This progress comes from staying focused and putting the right resources where they’re needed. APD and our City teams have been on it, and we’re going to keep at it to make Downtown safer for everyone.”
The focused enforcement began in summer 2024 after a series of shootings and increased juvenile crime raised concerns about downtown safety. Since then, APD has arrested 26 juveniles in the downtown area and recovered 10 firearms from different investigations.
Crime Statistics Show Broad Improvements
Year-to-date comparisons between 2024 and 2025 show decreases across six crime categories:
- Shootings: Down 20%
- Sex crimes: Down 61.5%
- Auto theft: Down 29.8%
- Shoplifting: Down 20%
- Robbery: Down 12.5%
- Burglary: Down 2.9%
“The drop in downtown shootings is a direct result of the relentless work by our officers who are out there every day making a difference,” APD Chief Harold Medina said in the release. “Their commitment, along with ongoing targeted operations, is making downtown safer and restoring confidence in the heart of our city.”
The downtown improvements mirror broader crime reduction trends across Albuquerque. Citywide statistics for the first quarter of 2025 showed auto theft down 47%, robberies down 31%, and homicides down 48% compared to the same period in 2024, according to KOAT reporting in May.
Multi-Unit Enforcement Strategy
The downtown enforcement effort includes support from several APD specialty units: Air Support, Horse Mounted Patrol, Auto Theft Unit, Traffic Unit and the Real Time Crime Center.
APD also created a hybrid Proactive Response Team that splits shifts between the Southeast Area Command and downtown during peak crime times.
Regular patrols focus on high-visibility areas along the Central Avenue entertainment corridor and in parking lots and garages. Officers work with business owners during day shifts to address concerns and relay information to later shifts about potential after-hours problems.
Technology Integration Key Component
Real-time technology from APD’s Real Time Crime Center plays a central role in the enforcement strategy. The system uses license plate readers, cameras and real-time monitoring to aid in arrests downtown.
The city has significantly expanded its camera network through the Community Connect Downtown program, which launched in August 2024. The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency awarded $500,000 in grants to 24 property owners to install more than 60 cameras connected to APD’s Real Time Crime Center, according to city announcements.
“Safety is the foundation for Downtown’s success,” MRA Director Terry Brunner said in the release. “By equipping businesses with effective security tools and expanding APD’s Real Time Crime Center network, we’re making smart investments that strengthen safety, support law enforcement and help Downtown grow.”
Ongoing Enforcement Priorities
APD will continue targeting shootings, unlawful firearm use, underage drinking, loitering, open container violations in parking lots and garages, drag racing, and disorderly conduct.
The enforcement approach represents a sustained effort that began after APD announced boosted downtown patrols for summer 2024 due to increased crime concerns.
The downtown crime reductions come as Albuquerque shows broader improvement trends. The city ended 2024 with 96 homicides, down from 99 in 2023 and a record 121 in 2022.