Mayor Tim Keller's Crime Strategy
Metro Crime Initiative: Lowering Crime in Albuquerque 
Throughout the summer, the City of Albuquerque convened leaders from across the criminal justice system to collaborate on crime-fighting in the metro area. The Metro Crime Initiative (MCI) has created a to-do list, action items the City and our partners are taking now to lower crime in Albuquerque.
Click on a topic below to learn more about what we are doing to tackle crime and how you can help.
What We Are Doing
Community Policing 
Behavioral Health 
Homeless Help 
Children's Safety 
Domestic Violence 
Rape Kit Backlog 
Gun Violence 
Bikes and Pedestrians 
Auto Theft 
Quality of Life 
Reforming APD 
Staffing APD 
Funds for Safety 
Tactical Programs 
Tools and Innovation 
Apply to APD or AFR Message from Mayor Keller
Crime is the most pressing issue in Albuquerque and I have made public safety my top priority.
We are aiming higher when it comes to our expectations of safety and security for the people of Albuquerque by continuing to reform the Albuquerque Police Department, getting back to real community policing, hiring more police officers and getting them the tools they need. We are also facing some of the pervasive root causes of crime head-on by addressing homelessness, addiction and behavioral health challenges.
Building a safer Albuquerque after a decade of rising crime is a long road. For lasting results, we can’t rely on band-aids fixes - we must approach all different kinds of crime with resolve and determination.
Learn more below about these efforts to make our city safer, block-by-block.
Community Policing
The idea is simple: Build relationships and work with communities to address their concerns and priorities.
We are successfully fighting crime when we work hand-in-hand with communities to implement solutions that keep people safe. Our officers are working with neighborhoods, business owners, faith-based organizations, schools, and more to tailor proven public safety strategies to meet the needs of specific areas. APD Community Policing comprises three key components: Problem Solving, Community Partnerships and Organizational Transformation.
Problem Solving: Solving problems means, first, identifying issues that need to be addressed and then determining resolutions and devoting effort to meeting needs for a successful outcome. The SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) model is one of the most familiar processes for problem-oriented policing (POP). APD is using this model.
Community Partnerships: Partnerships between law enforcement and the individuals and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police. APD will focus on creating partnerships with a diverse section of the Albuquerque community and will work with key community stakeholders including, but not limited to:
- Other law enforcement agencies
- Social service providers
- Business community
- Educational institutes
- Local prosecutors
- Faith-based organizations
- Neighborhood interest groups
- Youth organizations
These partnerships will identify community challenges and focus on developing a strong road map to address those challenges (problem solving).
Organizational Transformation: APD is transforming the way we provide service to residents. The new focus is based on the three guiding principles of community policing. The transformation begins at the roots of the department by changing our training to develop the principles during the earliest stages of a police officer’s career. The instruction will carry on throughout an officer’s career as these principles become the benchmark for department recognition and advancement. The police department will begin developing community police officers who will lead the department for the next 25 years and following.
- Apply to serve on your Community Policing Council
- Find Your Area Command
- Join APD at a Community Event
- Follow APD on Social Media @abqpolice
- Apply to Work for APD or Work for AFR
- If you have info, call Crime Stoppers at 843-STOP
- Register for the Citizen Police Academy
- Join or start a Neighborhood Watch
- Sign up for the APD Volunteer Services Program
- Register for the Junior Police Academy
- Register for Summer Camp Fearless
- Apply to the Civilian Police Oversight Agency (CPOA)
- Practice Personal Safety
Behavioral Health
Tackling crime from all sides means addressing challenges like homelessness, addiction, and behavioral health. When it comes to behavioral health, we are working to increase access to services so people can get the compassionate care they need.
APD is partnering with Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Family and Community Services, and other departments to improve and increase access to services.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT):
The Crisis Intervention Team's goal is to provide an effective response to situations involving people who might be mentally ill or in crisis.
The CIT works with people in the Albuquerque community who exhibit chronic behavior patterns that may pose risks to themselves or others.
One of the team's primary goals is to ensure that situations involving people in crisis are defused so to avoid force and proper medical attention or referral to an appropriate follow-up agency is provided.
The team also works closely with the mental health care provider network to help identify deficiencies in our health care programs.
Homeless Help
Homelessness is a harsh reality in Albuquerque and we’ve outlined a multifaceted approach including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and more. In collaboration with our community partners, we’re addressing immediate needs while working to build the city’s first centrally-located, 24/7, year-round homeless shelter.
We are increasing emergency shelter options and adding transitional housing because housing is key. Housing allows folks to focus on other needs like finding employment, obtaining quality childcare, and taking care of physical and mental health.
- Donate now to the One ABQ Housing Fund
- Attend a meeting of the One Albuquerque Homeless Advisory Council
- Family & Community Services Homeless Services
- Family & Community Services Housing Resources
- Westside Emergency Housing Center
- Veteran Housing
- Indian Affairs Services & Resources
- Office of Equity & Inclusion Immigrant & Refugee Affairs Partner Agencies
Children's Safety
Every child in Albuquerque deserves to be safe. We’ve seen the horrific consequences when children fall through the cracks. Addressing the challenge of child abuse is a puzzle that’s going to take all of us - local and state government, law enforcement agencies, faith groups, non-profit service providers, survivors and advocates - working together to address. Although no single one of us can do everything, we can each do something.
The City of Albuquerque is working to reduce and prevent child abuse by investing in children, growing the number of spots available in youth programs, connecting families who use services like housing vouchers to other resources, investing in behavioral health and addiction services, and hiring more police to grow the Crimes Against Children Unit.
- For help, contact Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center
- Contribute to the community inventory for Kids Cabinet
- Sign up for the youth newsletter Youth Connect
- Attend a program through Youth Connect
- Attend a program through Family & Community Services
Domestic Violence
We know that across the country and right here in Albuquerque, domestic violence takes a toll on families. We stand with our partners in the community against domestic violence to say it is unacceptable.
Crime statistics repeatedly show a link between domestic violence and other criminal activity including homicide, crimes against children, and youth gang involvement. In 2018, about one-fifth of homicide cases in Albuquerque were related to domestic violence. Combating domestic violence means safety for those affected today, and also ending other abuse and crimes in the future.
- For help, contact the Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center
Rape Kit Backlog
Mayor Keller and Chief Administrative Officer Sarita Nair have worked throughout their public service careers with sexual assault survivor advocates to address this public safety issue. As former state auditor, Keller conducted the first statewide audit of the backlog that identified over 5,000 untested kits across the state, 75 percent of which were in Albuquerque.
While rape kit backlogs are a problem across the nation, New Mexico had the highest number of untested kits per capita. As Mayor, Keller signed an executive order calling on APD to create a comprehensive plan for clearing the backlog, including funding streams. The City has met its goal to clear the backlog by the end of 2020.
- Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog Reduction Project
- For help, contact Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center
- For help and to report assault, call a supportive nurse at (505) 884-SANE (7263)
Gun Violence
For nearly a decade, gun violence has become ever more pervasive and is often connected to other crimes. We are targeting gun violence with the same focus we use to target auto theft and robbery. We are adding resources, investing in new technology, and working with communities to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. We have a long road ahead, but we’re implementing new strategic approaches and will not back down.
- APD Gun Disposal Program
- APD Shooting Gun Violence Scan, Analysis, Response and A (SARA) | April 2019
Bikes and Pedestrians
Far too many families in Albuquerque have known the heartbreak of losing a loved one to a car, bicycle, or pedestrian crash over the years. As we focus on public safety, we have to take a hard look at the safety and inclusiveness of our transportation infrastructure.
- Esperanza Community Bicycle Safety Education Center
- Bike Facilities in Albuquerque
- Bike Map
- 50-Mile Activity Loop
Auto Theft
For the residents of New Mexico, auto theft is a particular problem. Auto theft is a crime that is often connected to other crime like robberies and violent offenses. By focusing on auto theft with strategic tactical operations, we are starting to see a difference.
Quality of Life
We are taking back our public spaces by adding more lighting, addressing crime hot spots like abandoned buildings, and needles in parks.
Reforming APD
We are owning the responsibility of APD reform and enacted the most extensive restructuring of APD in recent history, which included reestablishing a compliance bureau and getting the right people in key roles. The new leadership team is committed to reforming and turning this department around in earning public trust, restoring department morale and shifting to a culture of community protection and accountability.
Staffing APD
Recruiting and retaining qualified officers is critical to giving APD the staffing level needed to fight crime.
- Become a Police Officer
- Register for the Citizen Police Academy
- Join or start a Neighborhood Watch
- Sign up for the APD Volunteer Services Program
- Register for the Junior Police Academy
- Register for Summer Camp Fearless
Funding Public Safety
As New Mexico’s most populous city, Albuquerque has the potential to impact the rest of the state. Our City’s annual budget is a reflection of our priorities – that’s why we’re working with City Council to make funding public safety the top priority. We also advocate during the year for investments from the State Legislature, the Federal Government, and others.
Tactical Programs
We’re focusing our crime-fighting efforts and resources on targeted, strategic tactical operations to make an impact.
Metro 15 Operation
The Metro 15 is a working list of 15 offenders who are considered to be drivers of crime in Albuquerque. The first list was created in November 2019. As offenders are arrested, new offenders and fugitives are identified based on their criminal history and the potential for successful prosecution. APD’s Shield Unit prepares discovery for prosecutors to use in court and work to keep offenders in jail.
Metro Crime Initiative (MCI)
Tim Keller brought together leaders from across the criminal justice system to for the Albuquerque Metro Crime Initiative. The goal of the summer-long initiative is to bring elected officials, agency staff, and behavioral health leaders together to gain consensus on a set of shared action items that will meaningfully close gaps in the criminal justice system and improve the regions’ ability to prevent and fight crime. The five session covered focus areas like early intervention; detention, diversions, and hearings; and public safety career pipelines.
Violence Intervention Program (VIP)
The Violence Intervention Program is a gun violence reduction program that focuses on those at highest risk for becoming part of the gun violence cycles in the City. VIP Program implementation began in late March 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. The first year was a pilot year where multiple components were implemented. Components encompass a public health approach to gun violence reduction and a focused deterrence law enforcement approach to gun violence.
Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS)
The Albuquerque Community Safety department (ACS) will dispatch first responders to 911 calls with or without other first responders from the police and fire departments. Community Safety responders may have backgrounds as social workers, peer to peer support, clinicians, counselors, or similar fields.
Reimagining Policing
Mayor Tim Keller’s Administration is reimagining policing and taking bold action on the toughest issues in our community. We are carving our own path for Albuquerque by fighting crime from all sides and working towards meaningful, lasting reforms to make our city safer for everyone. From creating a first of its kind community safety department to restorative justice solutions, we’re sending the right response at the right time
Tools and Innovation
We are attacking crime from all sides, which requires modern tactics, data, and technology.
Apply to APD
Looking for an amazing career where you can make a true difference in your community? The Albuquerque Police Department is looking for dedicated individuals with hearts for service. Look into the beautiful City of Albuquerque and our amazing Department.
Apply to AFR
Be a part of a progressive and innovative department working to save lives and property. Take the first step on your journey towards becoming a firefighter with Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
