Albuquerque Police Are Solving More Murders in 2022

Just like 2021, 2022 has been another record-setting year for homicides in Albuquerque. As of December 9, 115 people have been killed across 108 different homicide cases. But that's just part of the story. Albuquerque Police detectives are also solving more murders in 2022 than they have in several recent years. As 2022 wraps up, APD says its homicide clearance rate is above 90%. 

How is that possible? And is there any relief in sight to violent crime in the city? This week on the podcast, Chris and Gabby sit down with one of the leaders spearheading efforts to improve investigations within the state's largest police force: Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock. Leading the department's Criminal Investigations Division, Hartsock explains some new strategies the department is using to solve violent crimes.

As mentioned in the show, this is the second time Hartsock has been a guest on the New Mexico News Podcast. In July, he details the creation of the department's new "Digital Intelligence Team," or DIT. You can find that episode published on July 12 at this link to the specific episode on KRQE.com/podcasts, or, just scroll back in your feed.

There's a brief mention of gun ownership in this episode. Last December, KRQE's Curtis Segarra explored the question of how many guns are in New Mexico with a deeper look into the data. In May, Curtis also reported on the surge in gun sales that began with the pandemic.

Who would you like to hear from interviewed on the New Mexico News Podcast? Let us know. Email the hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com with your story ideas or feedback. Also, find us on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.