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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Police and prosecutors have noticed a troubling increase in juvenile crime, particularly downtown. In response, local, county, state, and federal officials announced a new initiative to address the issue.
According to the source, Mayor Tim Keller called it “the biggest problem in the City of Albuquerque.”
He emphasized the commitment to downtown, stating, “We are never going to give up on downtown, and we are going to invest resources and collaborate together to continue to make downtown safe.”
The Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, and the FBI are working together to tackle this problem.
APD Chief Harold Medina highlighted the rise in youth using firearms downtown, saying, “Some of them come, start drinking in the parking structure, and what should have been a simple argument escalates because of intoxication.”
Medina hopes that increasing officer presence downtown will help. “By reaching out to our partners, we’ve increased the amount of officers in the area we could cover,” he said.
Bernalillo County District Attorney, Sam Bregman, noted the legal leniency when charging youthful offenders. His office has indicted nineteen children for first-degree murder in the eighteen months he’s been DA.
“Whether or not they are juveniles or 18 years old if you commit adult crimes, we will charge you as adults, and we will prosecute you to the full extent of the law,” Bregman stated.
To combat the issue, APD plans more downtown patrols during weekends.
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The DA’s Office will add six investigators, BCSO will provide four deputies, and state police will contribute five additional officers.
“We are here to send a message that it’s not acceptable, we’re looking for you, and we’re coming for you,” declared Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
The city also plans to install more security cameras and lights to help reduce crime. The FBI will provide investigative support and consider federal charges for juvenile cases.
“We have a united message that is simple, we will not tolerate this type of crime,” said Keller.