Public Safety
Advocate for and help implement local and state-level policies and practices that will result in a reduction in crime in Bernalillo County and a tough, strategic, fair, and sophisticated criminal justice system.
Our Core Beliefs:
- High crime impedes economic growth, raising business costs and impacting hiring, expansion, and relocation decisions
- Albuquerque’s prolonged crime spike was across-the-board, steep, and unprecedented; sustaining recent crime reduction will require the coordinated effort and focus of criminal justice system partners
- Those who commit crimes in Albuquerque must face swift and certain apprehension and punishment; this is a key deterrent
- Several years of tremendous changes and disruptions in virtually every part of the justice system in New Mexico exposed and exacerbated numerous longstanding problems, including a history of poor agency coordination and a lack of sophistication, technological capability, and efficiency in the processing of criminal cases
- The data-driven differentiation of offenders and deployment of new technology in crime-fighting are key to a more efficient, effective, and fair justice system
- Crime in Albuquerque is substantially driven by drug use, addiction, and behavioral health disorders
The Chamber’s Public Safety Policy Planks:
- Increase the number of police officers and prosecutors in Albuquerque and improve community-based crime-fighting
- Ensure Albuquerque has a well-trained, professional police department; support APD in satisfying the DOJ settlement agreement
- Improve the use of data, analytics, and technology to make policing and prosecution more strategic and intelligence-driven
- Reform criminal justice practices: improve the efficiency of case processing, better address behavioral health challenges, and ensure criminals face swift/certain punishment
Initiatives and Progress
Prosecution is Swifter and More Certain in Bernalillo County
- The average time to file criminal charges is now just 21 days (down from 182 days in 2015-2016)
- The average time to resolve a criminal case was just 55 days last year (down from 146 days in 2017)
Crime has been Falling in Albuquerque Since the Summer of 2017
- Comparing the first half of 2019 to the first half of 2018, crime in ABQ has significantly decreased in nearly all categories
The Crime Strategies Unit Launched at the D.A.s Office… and is Working
- Backed by the Chamber and funded by the Legislature as a pilot initiative, a team of investigators, prosecutors, and data analysts at the D.A.’s Office is using new technology and data analytics tools to prosecute serious offenders and identify and cripple criminal networks in Albuquerque
New Police Technology – and More Officers – in Albuquerque
- The Chamber worked with the City to secure nearly $20 million in state funding to install gun shot detection systems, speed up DNA testing, launch a Gun Crime Intelligence Center, deploy license plate readers, and more. Mayor Keller also announced that 120 officers were added to APD in the past year
‘A Strong Partnership’: Chamber Hosts Reception with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham To Discuss Economic Development, Education, and More
Earlier this week, the Chamber hosted a reception to hear from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on a range of topics, including fiscal and economic development updates …
‘The Cutting Edge of Public Safety’: Chamber Joins D.A. Raúl Torrez as Albuquerque Hosts National Crime Strategies Conference
Last week, Albuquerque hosted a national convention of law enforcement officials and prosecutors on the forefront of using data to improve public safety — less than a …
‘Deeply Concerning’: Chamber Voices Concerns About Judicial Denials of District Attorney’s Pre-Trial Detention Requests
Last week, Chamber President and CEO Terri Cole raised concerns about the denials by local judges of pre-trial detention requests made by the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s …
“Strong Leaders Doing Amazing Work”: Chamber Awards Legislators, ABQ City Councilor, Early Childhood Advocates, and Bernalillo County District Attorney at 2019 Ceremony
Earlier this week, more than 100 business leaders and elected officials were in attendance as the Chamber held its 2019 Chamber Awards ceremony at the …
‘Expectations Have Not Been Met’: Chamber Backs D.A. Proposal to Strengthen Pre-Trial Detention of Serious Defendants
On behalf of the Chamber’s Board, President and CEO Terri Cole yesterday joined Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez to call for new constitutional language …
2019 Legislative Summary: Chamber Releases Report on Outcomes of Latest Legislative Session
The Chamber this week released its 2019 New Mexico Legislative Summary, highlighting the successes, challenges, and major policy changes resulting from an historic and eventful …
Learn more about the Public Safety Initiatives
We invite you to learn more about the public safety initiatives of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and encourage you to contact us with any questions or suggestions you may have.