U.S. Attorney General speaks on decrease in violent crime in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland, was in Albuquerque today discussing crime in the metro and the state. Though some categories of violent crime are on a downward trend, community members say there’s still work to be done.

According to the Albuquerque Police Department, homicides, robberies and aggravated assaults have been decreasing over the last few years. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland says that’s on pace with national stats- attributing it to the Biden administration’s effort to clamp down on crime.

“This is consistent with what we’ve been seeing nationally, where last year we saw one of the lowest violent crime rates in 50 years and the greatest drop in homicides in 50 years,” said U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland.

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APD said since 2021, homicides have decreased by about 32%, robberies by around 42%, and aggravated assaults by 9%. Though trends continue to go down, officials with the New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, say there’s still work to be done.

“Yes, the numbers are down, and we should celebrate that,” said Mirandi Viscoli, Co-President of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence. “I don’t think anybody in Albuquerque thinks they’re down enough.”

Viscoli says she’s happy to see violent crime decrease but wants more from legislators when it comes to passing gun-related policy. “I would hope that our legislators would make sure that when they’re passing, either gun violence prevention legislation, or crime bills, that they’re listening to law enforcement,” Viscoli explained.

Though rape cases have also decreased overall in the past four years, there’s been a spike in Albuquerque, with a 22% increase since last year.

“We are not taking good enough care of people being abused,” Viscoli added. “Obviously, if somebody is raped by somebody, that is a situation where, yes, that person needs to be held accountable. In a very strict way.”

While legislators have been blamed for not doing enough to tackle crime rates, state lawmakers are blaming Bernalillo County. They argue Albuquerque city officials have failed to use appropriated funds to hire and retain police officers- as well as keep criminals behind bars.

“Why isn’t there accountability at the executive in Albuquerque,” asked Rep. Christine Chandler. “Why isn’t Bernalillo County being held to a higher standard than apparently their constituents and I think it is a deflection?”

Some lawmakers denounced the finger-pointing and urged for a holistic approach to address violent crime. “We have to do our due diligence to ensure any laws we are passing, if there is something already on the book that is not being enforced then we need to bring that to light, and it is really disturbing to me,” added Rep. Cynthia Borrego.

Lawmakers failed to pass any of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s violent crime bills during its latest special legislative session. They say it will be a top issue when they are back in session in Jan.

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