This indicator is part of Active, safe downtown.

Indicator description:

This indicator measures crime incidents in Albuquerque’s downtown area between 2003 and 2007. For purposes of this indicator, the downtown area is comprised of police beats 224 and 225, bounded by Lomas Boulevard on the north, the railroad tracks on the east, Iron Avenue on the south, and 14th Street from Iron Avenue to Central Avenue and 12th Street from Central to Lomas on the west. Part I offenses refer to the FBI's Uniform Crime reporting of eight specific crimes; murder and non-negligent manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, rape, motor vehicle theft, larceny, burglary, and arson. Part II crimes are everything other than Part I. The numbers shown are raw numbers, not rates, and do not take into account increases in downtown residences or jobs.

Why is this indicator relevant?

Crime rates affect the safety, and the perceptions of safety, of people who live or work in the downtown area or patronize downtown businesses. If downtown crime is perceived to be a problem, then fewer people will visit, shop, or live in the area, reducing activity in downtown and the vitality of this important neighborhood.

Data Source:
Albuquerque Police Department, 2003 to 2007.

What can we tell from the data?

• Part I crimes were at their lowest level in 2007after a peak in 2003. Part II crimes peaked in 2007 after a low in 2004. Traffic offenses were lowest in 2005 after a high in 2004.
• The total of all offenses, Part I, II, and traffic, bottomed in 2005, but have since increased to essentially 2003 levels. However, these numbers do not reflect the increase in downtown residences or jobs that have occurred in 2004 and later which would suggest that the rate of crime is lower.

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