PORTALES,NEW MEXICO -- It appears that crime in Portales is on the decline according to the Portales News Tribune. The report says the city saw drops in the number of reported cases of larceny,assault,motor vehicle theft, and criminal damage, but an increase in burglary in 2009.
Portales Police Chief Jeff Gill and Deputy Chief Lonnie Berry presented their annual report for 2009 at the Portales City Council meeting Tuesday night in City Hall.
According to police department numbers, motor vehicle theft dropped 61.5 percent, criminal damage 29.1 percent and assault 11.5 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. Larceny cases decreased 39.5 percent.
Burglary was up almost ten percent, and drug cases increased by nearly 20 percent, according to the department. Berry did point out that officers sought drug cases, so the increase there was good.
As far as homicides go there was one in 2009 which was the same as 2008. And reported rape and robbery cases both dropped by one.
Berry also told the council that a web site is now available to the public that shows a crime map giving locations and information on crimes in the city.
