By Jesse Jones In Rio Rancho, car thefts and break-ins have dropped, likely due to police crackdowns. The City of Vision has seen an 11.4% decrease in property crime as a whole over the past two years. Motor vehicle thefts fell 27.5% and thefts from vehicles dropped 56.5%, according to the Rio Rancho Police Department’s […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
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Albuquerque Police Department finished with federal oversight after years of reform
By Rodd Cayton Federal oversight of the Albuquerque Police Department is over. The city and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a joint motion in federal court Friday to release the department from monitoring connected to high numbers of excessive-force incidents and police shootings. On Monday, U.S. District Judge James O. Browning officially dismissed the […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho sees decline in violent crime, despite surge in homicides
By Jesse Jones Violent crime in Rio Rancho is shifting — while homicides have risen, aggravated assaults and reported rape cases have dropped. New crime data from the Rio Rancho Police Department’s 2024 Annual Report paints a picture of declining violent crime in the area. Violent crime in Rio Rancho dropped about 20% from 2022 […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Falling Crime, Rising Population
By Jesse Jones Crime in Rio Rancho has dropped by just over 16% over the past two years, even as one of the state’s fastest-growing municipal populations continues to grow. According to the Rio Rancho Police Department’s 2024 Annual Report, the number of reported offenses fell from 8,681 in 2022 to 7,283 in 2024, marking […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Albuquerque bus driver suffers broken bones after being attacked by passenger
By Kevin Hendricks — A City of Albuquerque bus driver suffered broken bones after being attacked by a passenger on the bus last week near the University of New Mexico. According to the incident report from the Albuquerque Police Department, the male driver was on his route at the intersection of Central Ave. and University […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
New Mexico State Police Officer arrested for DWI, crash and leaving scene
By Kevin Hendricks A New Mexico State Police officer was arrested in Rio Rancho on May 2 and placed on administrative leave following allegations of driving while intoxicated, causing a crash and leaving the scene. Hugo Diaz-Amaya was arrested and placed on leave after the incident, which occurred around 3 p.m. near NM 528 and […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
‘No more stolen relatives’: Indigenous families call for justice for missing and murdered people
By Bella Davis, New Mexico In Depth “No more stolen sisters. No more stolen brothers,” advocates and families chanted during a march in Albuquerque on Monday for Indigenous people who have gone missing or died of homicide. May 5 is recognized as a day of awareness for a crisis of disproportionate violence against Indigenous people […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Safe Haven aims to prevent infant deaths in New Mexico
By Jesse Jones The Albuquerque Police Department is currently investigating the death of a baby found in a dumpster in Northwest Albuquerque. Police say officers responded to a 911 call at 3:45 a.m. on April 22. A security guard told police the baby was found by people in the area. According to APD, the baby […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Edgewood
Edgewood strives to fill gap in infant safe surrender options
By Andrea Vasquez The town of Edgewood has been working on securing both a safe place and reliable staff for baby boxes. This comes amid news of a baby left at a dumpster in Albuquerque. On April 22, a newborn baby was found deceased inside a dumpster near Rio Grande Boulevard and Interstate 40 in […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Pueblos, Westside Albuquerque
‘Sandoval Star’ remains unidentified two years later, authorities seek public help
By Kevin Hendricks and Jesse Jones Local law enforcement is seeking public assistance in identifying a deceased woman discovered two years ago under a bridge in the Cibola National Forest, now known as “Sandoval Star.” On April 18, 2023, Placitas residents found the woman’s remains partially submerged in a creek under a bridge off Route […]