Albuquerque police say homicide rate is much lower

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Police in New Mexico's largest city, where crime is of great concern to residents and elected officials, say that recent data shows a significant improvement over the past five years, an Albuquerque Police Department news release said.

So far this year, 50 murders have been investigated by APD, compared to 66 in 2024, 76 in 2023, and 92 in 2022 from Jan. 1 to Sept. 5, the release said.

Homicide detectives have solved 40 out of 48 cases so far this year, or 83%. Two cases had two victims, and when 22 cases solved in 2025 are included, APD's "clearance rate" is 129%, the release said.

It all adds up to less crime in Albuquerque, APD Harold Medina said.

"We focused a lot of resources into making felony arrests over the summer with the goal of reducing violent crime, i