The Spatial Patterning of Violent Crime in Albuquerque

• In Event: Crime and Justice in the Land of Enchantment (New Mexico)

Abstract

We examine the historical and geospatial patterns of violent crime in Albuquerque. We find that violence tends to cluster within a quarter mile of schools in a buffer analysis that includes police department sub-stations. Our results are not in full agreement with those produced by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) both for public consumption and in its reports to the U.S. Justice Dept. as mandated by the McClendon v City of Albuquerque settlement in 2017. In short, our findings contradict the APD’s claim of a decline in violent crime in the first few years following the McClendon decision. Our work suggests the need for further review of the federal oversight being applied to APD before such claims are made to effect results in both federal compliance clearance and city budget allocations.

Author

• Fernando Sanchez, University of Montana, Missoula