It’s no secret that property crime is common around UNM, and Mayor Richard Berry is not happy about it.
Berry said he is planning to tackle the property crime problem and unveiled his plan to do so January.
“Eight out of 10 crimes committed in Albuquerque are property crimes,” he said in a Daily Lobo interview. “We simply want to make sure that Albuquerque is not a place to be a criminal. This property crime initiative is a way for us to go out, be active and work with the community on this issue.”
The University area presents unique opportunities to criminals, said UNMPD Spokesman Robert Haarhues.
“On campus, criminals have assurances that these people are going to be gone for at least an hour for class,” he said. “Also, we have parking lots full of cars. We get a lot of cars stolen from here because they know we have parking lots that are kind of distant and remote.”
Student Kathleen Kelley had her bike stolen eight months ago. She said it makes sense that students are trying to steal because students are often struggling to pay for tuition, books and housing.
“Students are poor and a lot of them are going to steal if they get the opportunity,” she said. “It was right outside my house locked up and then it was gone. I was pissed but at the same time it was a $35 Craigslist bike, so I didn’t really care too much. I bought a cheap bike, locked it up with a cheap Wal-mart lock and somebody clipped it. It was kind of expected.”
Berry said using Twitter as an alert system for stolen cars will allow the younger population to participate in ridding the city of crime.
“We’ve got hundreds of thousands eyes and ears in the city of Albuquerque, if we can disseminate the information when a car is stolen or when there has been a crime it will have a positive effect,” he said. “We are going to take all the new technology out there and put that in peoples’ hands, so we are not only going to have the 1,100 police officers we have in Albuquerque but we are going to have everybody else out there with their eyes and ears open as well.”
Being smart about protecting your property is the best means of preventing property crime, Haarhues said.
“We have a lot of people who leave valuables in their car,” he said. “Don’t leave your gym bag, your purse or anything of value in there. Make sure you lock your doors and don’t leave your laptops and other items laying around.”
Kelley also said her friend’s bike was stolen.
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“My neighbor got her bike stolen right in front of her,” she said. “It was midday and she had just locked up her bike when this guy came up, clipped her lock and took it. It was broken and he was running down the street holding it up because he couldn’t ride it. She yelled ‘You can have it, it’s broken!’”
Berry said he hopes his plan will dissuade criminals from attempting any crime in the first place.
“It comes down to this: If you want to steal a car in Albuquerque, we want this to be a bad place for you to do that,” he said. “We want you looking over your shoulder.”
The overall theme of the property crime issue is awareness and taking an active role in ensuring the city’s safety, Berry said.
“This is a great city. It’s a city where you don’t have to be afraid to be outside, to be Downtown, to be out and about,” he said. “But always know where you are and know the circumstances that you are in.”
*Berry’s plan to reduce property crime:
Seeking federal prosecution for property crimes involving firearms.
Fingerprinting everyone who is arrested no matter how small the crime.
Dispatching crime scene investigators to every burglary.
Offering cash incentives for people who turn in property crime offenders.
Tracking property crime offenders who are out on probation.
Developing a system that allows pawn shops to track stolen property.
Sending out mass e-mails to the community.
“Tweeting” every car that is stolen.
Creating a public database that can be accessed through smart phones providing information on stolen vehicles.
Improving enforcement of the Three Strikes Law.
Creating a night detective squad to respond to property crimes in the evening hours.
Advertising wanted property crime offenders on billboards and in newspapers.*
