Good guys use data in DA’s new Crime Strategies Unit

Criminal networks, some tied to cartel activity and some more loosely organized than others, play a significant role in the Albuquerque metropolitan area’s crime problem. Members of these modern-day “gangs” deal drugs, steal cars, carry out armed robberies and kill people.

But law enforcement and prosecutors have lacked the tools to deal with the criminal network dynamic. Until now. Bucking political headwinds and legislative skeptics, District Attorney Raúl Torrez has launched an important new initiative that injects information technology and analysis into the fight against crime in Bernalillo County, taking direct aim at these criminal networks.

And for this, a public weary of the daily rash of shootings, auto thefts and armed robberies should be grateful.

Backed by key lawmakers and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Torrez last week unveiled his office’s new Crime Strategies Unit, which includes data analysts and a special agent who will dive deeper into regular criminal cases with the goal of taking down bigger criminal organizations. This is easier said than done. Police departments are segmented into units — burglary, auto theft, violent crimes and more. Police send one case at a time, about 20,000 possible felony cases a year, to the DA’s Office for possible prosecution. But the system lacks the tools to connect the dots.

Although it’s barely up and running, Kyle Hartsock, special agent in charge of the unit at the DA’s office, said the team of analysts already has uncovered a large criminal network linked to an unsolved homicide. The murder case had grown cold, but CSU probed deeper into the victim’s life and found a group of about 30 people dealing drugs and firearms. The goal will be to build cases against key players.

Getting legislative funding for the project wasn’t easy. Torrez has ruffled feathers of local judges, and some lawmakers balked at extra money for the DA in Bernalillo County. But the funding was secured — although it isn’t necessarily recurring — and Torrez has added key staff for this project. Outside expertise in data collection and analysis will be a must for this to work as intended, and for starters Torrez will partner with New Mexico Tech.

Crime has evolved. If we hope to make a major dent in it, law enforcement and prosecution must evolve as well. This is an important step in that evolution. Speaking of evolution, what a difference a month makes. In July, the 2nd Judicial District Court announced plans to slash the number of grand juries impaneled each month and require prosecutors to instead use preliminary hearings to bring most felony cases. Grand juries are currently available to prosecutors five days a week, but court officials said beginning Oct. 1, they would only be available six days a month. The original plan was criticized by local law enforcement and the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, who feared the proposed change would be catastrophic and lead to scheduling conflicts, take officers off the streets and result in fewer prosecutions.

Fortunately for Bernalillo County residents, the court has decided to drastically scale back those planned reductions.

Chief Judge Nan Nash said in a letter last week the court will decrease the number of grand jury panels only by four days a month. And the changes won’t go into effect until November. The new plan is much more palatable, although it’s still concerning given the level of crime and APD understaffing.

In felony cases, prosecutors must show there’s sufficient evidence to try an individual. That can be done through a grand jury, which typically requires the testimony of a primary case agent during a prompt hearing, or through a preliminary hearing, which is the equivalent of a minitrial, takes longer and requires more witnesses.

If the court is determined to force prosecutors to handle more felony cases through preliminary hearings, then doing it gradually is the only way to go. Still, it would make more sense to hold off until Albuquerque has a firm handle on its serious crime problem and officer shortage.