Where are the cars going

By: Jake Haman

The problem of Auto theft in
Albuquerque
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Table of contents

Introduction 2

Methodology 2

Discussion of results 3

Recommendations 4

Conclusion 5
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Auto Theft Rate in Albuquerque New Mexico

Introduction

The National Insurance Crime Bureau indicates that Albuquerque has the highest rate of auto
theft per capita within the United States. Reports show that the regions ( New Mexico)
population is comprised of about 887,000, with the reported cases of stolen and carjacking in
the year 2016 totaling up to 10,000 (Shultz). Since the year 2015, the number of vehicles
reported stolen increased with about 50% (Miller, Shultz). The issue is of concern to the law
enforcers and affects the lives of people within the area. The purpose of this research is to
identify the underlying reasons for the car theft issue in Albuquerque and devise possible
solutions to solving the problem within New Mexico.

Methodology

The methods employed in this research include the use of questionnaires, interviews and
reading through literature sources to obtain information about the rates of auto theft. Statistics
were also taken into consideration concerning the rising rate of larceny for motor vehicles,
number of police officers, and the rates of recidivism. This research will be focused on the
period of thefts between 2013 and 2017.
Steps
1. Gather information from primary and secondary sources.

Use online and text sources to find out why this is such an issue you our area. Find a
victim to interview hopefully to gain some personalized information this information
will also be useful for talking about how the issue is currently being handled. Next
find a police officer or authority on the issue. Next observe and analyze this new
found information to continue on to step two.

2. Use information gathered to find solutions to the issue.

Take the information gathered through different sources to look into the different
solutions that could be offered to the issue. Research each solution to look for results
or other recommendations for the different solutions.

3. Pick solutions most realistic and possible for the issue.

Narrow down the number of solutions to two or three viable and usable solutions.
These solutions will be the ones chosen for use and tested within the city and
eventually state to ensure success.

4. Put information together and conclude.

Discuss results for each solution. Then come to a conclusion for each solution based
on the results. Implement the most successful solutions into the police force and or
justice system, also around the community.
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Discussion of Results

The underlying reasons behind

the increased rate of auto theft
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
are unclear. However, quite a
number of them have been
suggested. Statistics evidence
that the crime rates of the
vehicles have increased over
time.

Some of these reasons put forth

to explain the risen rates of
auto theft include:

Lack of a Proper Auto Theft

Enforcement Law
Notably, the offenders caught
Fig. 1 Auto thefts per 100,000 stealing motor vehicles are convicted but later
released. The release of these criminals shows that
residents in 2015 and 2016
there lacks sufficient laws enforced towards
rehabilitating their behavior, especially since about
46% of the published criminals relapse on their criminal activities. Despite the state having
clear rules to convict and rehabilitate the law offenders, it is not evident that there are proper
laws enforced to curb the issue of auto thefts. Oscar et al. (22) state that Albuquerque has less
police force. Moreover, the laws integrated fail to function towards reducing the overall issue
of auto theft within the region.

High Local Recidivism Rate

According to Nicole the crime rate in New Mexico has always been high (par 4). Majority of
the felonious activities within the country have been perpetrated through motor vehicles theft.
However, some of the criminals convicted are later released after their conviction period is
over. (Miller, Ivall, and Schultz Pg. 98) assert that increased rate of social recidivism is
among the leading factors causing high auto theft rate in the state. The released criminals re-
join bad gangs connected to previously. They therefore engage in the criminal behavior.
Statistics show that there has been a decrease in the jail population, suggesting that the
increased rate of auto theft in the region is caused by recidivism (Sarah 140).
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Reduced Police Officers

The number of police officers within the region has diminished over years. The reduction in
the number of police officers is directly related to the increased rate of auto theft within
Albuquerque, (Miller) New Mexico. Notably, with fewer police officers, guarding of the
vehicles in the street is minimum. Therefore, theft cases arise.

Fig. 2 comparing repeat offenders

to first time offenders for auto
thefts in Albuquerque

Survey Results

I conducted a survey of 50 people around the city of Albuquerque asking them two questions
1. Have you ever had your car stolen?
2. Do you know someone who has gotten their car stolen?
After asking around the UNM campus as well as people I know; I found that out of the 50
people I asked 15 of them had had their cars stolen thats just about 30% of the people I
asked. For the second question I found that out of 50 people 40 of them knows someone who
had their vehicle stolen. If you calculate that its 80% of people I asked, knows someone who
at one point had a car stolen. These results go to show how serious the extent of this issue is
here in the city of Albuquerque
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Recommendations of the Possible Solutions

Some solutions can be integrated towards achieving better outcomes and reducing the overall
auto theft experienced in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From the analysis, it is evident that
causes of increased rate of auto theft are all related. The instances specifically revolve around
regulations regarding vehicle security, police officers and recidivism. In light of the above
information, the possible solutions are:
Refining and Monitoring the Criminal Justice Practices

most of the criminal offenders released back into the society contribute to the rising numbers
of motor vehicle theft in Albuquerque New Mexico, reforming the criminal justice system
within the state would have positive benefits. Reforms would assist reduce auto theft in cases
extensively. Nicole suggests that incarcerated criminals convicted of stealing vehicles should
be retained within the prison systems to ensure they are reformed before release (7). Notably,
the approach can largely trim the criminals. Moreover, adverse effects can be eliminated. The
system should adopt use of psychological approaches to ensure individuals are reformed.
Such procedures may involve using Trans-Theoretical Models of Change to provide
behavioral transformation and hence reduce number of auto thefts within Albuquerque New
Mexico.
Engaging in Community Policing Approaches

Community policing is one of the most appropriate approaches that should be integrated in
the system to reduce the problem of motor vehicle theft in the region. While the number of
police forces is less in the area, the use of community policing would have positive benefits
through curbing problem experienced. Ehlert suggests that the community can engage with
the police forces concerning various levels and platforms such as the social media, mobile
phones and through police websites to help seize criminals and avert the challenge faced (75).
Increasing the Number of Police Officers

The most appropriate approach to curb the issue of auto theft would entail increasing number
of police forces per region in Albuquerque. The police have the authority and mandate to
apprehend the criminals. The law enforcers can quickly seize the criminals and ensure
reduction of number of auto thefts within the region. Increase in the number of police forces
will be efficient since the ratio of vehicles to the police will be low, resulting to fewer cars
guarded by a given police force. Moreover, the police administration should utilize the
available resources such as CCTV cameras to increase their surveillance and hence reduce
the overall rate of auto theft in Albuquerque New Mexico.

plan for the integration of the solutions, the government in the United States should co-
operate with the police force and the community towards implementing the same. Notably,
working together can have positive effects by reducing auto theft cases in Albuquerque New
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Mexico. In addition to the strategy, the government should develop a proper evaluation
approach to understand what actions are practical and to what extent.

Conclusion

The purpose of the research enatiled identifying underlying reasons for car theft issue in
Albuquerque. It has devised possible solutions towards solving the identified problem within
New Mexico. The National Insurance Crime Bureau indicates that Albuquerque has the
highest rate of auto theft per capita within the United States. The study has unraveled that the
offenders caught stealing motor vehicles are convicted but are later released. The released
criminals join bad gangs, which had connections with previously thereby reengaging in
criminal behavior. Statistics show that there has been a decrease in the jail population,
suggesting that recidivism causes increased rate of auto theft in the region. The most
appropriate approach to curb the issue of auto theft would entail increasing number of police
forces per area in Albuquerque.
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References
Ehlert. "Settler Social Order: The Violence of Policing in New Mexico."2016, prison, print.
Miller, Ivall, and Schultz. "Albuquerque police department monthly report, January 2013."
2013. From https://www.cabq.gov/police/documents/monthly-
reports/January_2013.pdf/@@download/file/January_2013.pdf
Nicole. "Car Thieves Shift into High Gear In Albuquerque." Abqjournal.com., 2017. Web. 21
Oct. 2017. From https://www.abqjournal.com/813721/city-grabs-no-2-spot-in-
vehicle-thefts-in-us.html
Oscar et al. "Incorporating Public Insecurity Indicators: A New Approach to Measuring
Social Welfare in Mexico." Social Indicators Research , 2017: 1-23.
Sarah. Juveniles in residential placement, 2011. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice,
Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,
2014. From https://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/249507.pdf