UNM saw 28 percent jump in auto thefts in 2017
University was No. 1 in 2016 with 174 cases
After Rob Burford submitted the University of New Mexico’s crime data to the federal government last fall, he fielded a call from the U.S. Department of Education.
UNM’s 2016 auto theft numbers — far higher than any other college in the country — had raised flags. The caller wanted to double-check them.
“They ... said, ‘We just want to make sure you understand what you’re doing because the number’s way up,’” said Burford, who confirmed that year’s spike.
Now that UNM has issued its 2017 data, Burford anticipates more questions.
The state’s largest university saw another 28 percent increase in auto thefts and attempted auto thefts, with a total of 222 incidents in 2017.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they called me again,” said Burford, UNM’s director of compliance and the staffer who compiles campus crime statistics for reporting under the Clery Act.
In 2016, UNM had more auto thefts than any of the 11,000-plus postsecondary campuses that report to the federal government. The university had initially reported 140 incidents that year, but recently revised to 174 after acknowledging it had failed to include dozens of attempted auto thefts.
No other campus was remotely close. The University of South Carolina was second at 65, according to a Journal review of the data.
It’s unclear if UNM will remain at the top. Schools had until Monday to issue reports, and the education department website does not have the latest numbers.
Officials have cited UNM’s location in the heart of Albuquerque as one of the driving factors for its auto theft issues. The metro area is grappling with its own stolen-car epidemic; the National Insurance
ance Crime Bureau reported the Albuquerque area had more auto thefts per capita in 2017 than anywhere in the United States.
A UNM Police Department spokesman said the parking area near the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is a popular target. The South Campus lots have been problematic, too, but Lt. Trace Peck said a contract security officer has helped mitigate that. UNM also installed surveillance cameras around Dreamstyle Arena, which Peck cited for zero auto thefts during 2017-18 season basketball games.
UNM says it is trying to combat the problem with more cameras and lights on campus.
“We believe adding the cameras will aid law enforcement in apprehending offenders and make the campus a less attractive target for property thefts and other crimes,” UNM Police Chief Kevin McCabe wrote in a letter posted online with the report Monday.
President Garnett Stokes has made campus safety one of her top priorities. UNM recently hired a new security operations director and purchased a mobile security camera trailer.
The university’s new Clery Report also shows increases in several other categories.
UNM reported 19 rapes, up from 15 the year before. Dating violence went up to 29 from 23; while stalking increased to 34 from 25.
McCabe and Burford both say UNM’s mandatory training on sexual misconduct prevention could have contributed to more people reporting those crimes.
UNM had 19 aggravated assaults in 2017, up from 12. Burglaries rose to 39 from 28 — although that’s still lower than 2015 (49).
There was a sharp rise in student discipline referrals related to liquor law violations: 316 compared to 227. All but five occurred in student housing.
“They’re just caught partying in the residence halls,” Burford said.