Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone releases crime stats for 2017. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com
LAPD News:
Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone has released the calls for service and crime statistics for 2017 in Los Alamos County, which were prepared by the LAPD Records Section.
Offenses reported as crime statistics are determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Uniform Crime Program and are classified as crimes against persons (violent) and crimes against property.
The offenses of murder (homicide), manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault make up the violent crime category. The offenses of arson, burglary, larceny and auto theft make up the property crimes category. Both of these categories are referred to as Part 1 Offenses.
During the 12 months of 2017, the report indicates that officers responded to a total of 126 Part 1 offenses, a 20 percent decrease compared to 157 offenses during the same period in 2016. Violent crime increased from 17 in 2016 to 25 in 2017, a 47 percent increase. Property crime decreased from 140 in 2016 to 101 in 2017, a 28 percent decrease.
Aggravated assault reports rose from 13 in 2016 to 19 in 2017. Rape reports increased from 3 to 4. There were no homicide or manslaughter reports in either year. There were 2 aggravated robbery cases reported in 2017, up from 1 in 2016.
The report indicates burglary reports were down slightly from 12 to 11. Larceny numbers also went down from 120 to 88. Auto theft decreased from 6 in 2016 to 2 in 2017. There were no arson reports in 2017, down from 1 in 2016.
Officers investigated 191 accidents in 2017 compared to 181 in 2016, a 5.5 percent increase.
“Property crime has continued to decline as it has the last four years. For the first time in six years violent crime has risen. While many factors can contribute to crime rates within a community, LAPD would like to thank our community partners for sustaining a high quality of life by contributing to our low crime rate through the combined efforts of enforcement, engagement, prevention and treatment,” Chief Sgambellone said. “These efforts continue to be reflected in the fact that Los Alamos remains one of the safest communities in the nation.”
He said LAPD continues to encourage citizens to “harden the target” through crime reduction strategies such as securing homes and vehicles, alarms, self-defense and general awareness of their surroundings.
For more information on crime prevention for businesses and homes, call Cmdr. Preston Ballew at 505.662.8236.
