APD: Most crime falls, but drug offenses surge 76%

Police Chief Barker presented mid-year crime statistics at the Economic Forum

BY NAKAYLA MCCLELLAND JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The early Wednesday morning hour did little to deter Police Chief Cecily Barker, who greeted local executives and community members with a bright smile during the Economic Forum of Albuquerque.

During the event, Barker presented midyear crime statistics, based on reported offenses, comparing crime totals from January to June 2025 with the same time frame in 2026.

Barker acknowledged, despite statistics showing crime has decreased in nearly every category, public perception has not necessarily followed.

“One thing I’ve always said is I can throw crime stats at you all day long and say how great we’re doing as a city, but one thing that we recognize is the perception of crime,” Barker said.

Most major crime categories, including homicide, burglary and vandalism, declined. Motor vehicle theft saw the largest drop, falling 36% compared with 2025.

Homicides fell from 36 in 2025 to 29 in 2026, a 19% decrease.

“Over the last few years, our homicide detectives have seen a solve rate at or above 90% every single year,” Barker said. “In fact, our detectives are two cases away from solving every homicide case in 2025.”

Barker credited APD’s expanded use of technology for the decline in crime while addressing community concerns about tools such as drones and automated license plate readers.

“I know that drones make people nervous, but I assure you, we are only interested in criminal activity,” Barker said.

Barker said officers using automated license plate readers must enter a case number and explain why they are searching for a specific vehicle. Officers who fail to meet those requirements lose access to the system.

While Barker highlighted declines across many crime categories, she addressed increases in others.

Narcotics offenses — which can include charges such as drug possession, trafficking or manufacturing — have increased 76%.

“We see the most open-air drug usage on the Central corridor,” she said. “We have our proactive response teams that are out there every single day. We really are trying to make an arrest of the people who are supplying the drugs.”

Barker said that a newly introduced diversion court program and proactive policing tactics may be the key to bringing those numbers down, particularly in cases involving people who are homeless in Albuquerque.

Aggravated and simple assaults also increased 3%-4% since 2025, while kidnappings offenses — often committed in domestic disputes — are up by 14%.

Barker noted that crime operations have been underway to focus on specific areas to address the increase in assaults. A knife-wielding man was shot by police in the North Valley during one such operation.

“As our officers are being proactive, we might see an increase in uses of force,” she said. “But our goal is to make arrests of the right people, and I believe that we are doing that.”

Albuquerque police have shot seven people this year, compared with 10 shootings during the same time in 2025.

Barker ended the presentation by fielding questions from the crowd, ranging from how the community can better support officers to 911 wait times and how police are working to curb juvenile crime.

She then told attendees what her ultimate goals for APD were, including reducing violent crime, strengthening trust within the community and having victim-oriented policing strategies.

“We have to expect more for Albuquerque,” Barker said. “It’s a great place to live, and we shouldn’t expect anything less.”

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal. com or at 505-823-3857.

Albuquerque Police Chief Cecily Barker speaks during an Economic Forum of Albuquerque event on Wednesday.

NAKAYLA MCCLELLAND/JOURNAL