Case Explained: LCPD reports on crime stats, focuses on juvenile justice – Legal Perspective

Kurt Johnson
Las Cruces Bulletin

Las Cruces residents gathered at city hall on Jan. 19 for a public town hall hosted by the Las Cruces Police Department, at which department leaders presented recent crime statistics and addressed community concerns, particularly related to juvenile crime and legal challenges.

Police chief Jeremy Story and his deputies shared the department’s 2025 crime report, highlighting a 13% reduction in overall crime compared to 2024. This includes a 19% decrease in violent crime and a 12% drop in property crime, figures the department said met its goal for a double-digit decline.

Deputy chief Eric Urenda expressed satisfaction with the progress, saying the department is “never satisfied” and committed to ongoing improvements throughout the community.

Story focused heavily on one of the evening’s central themes: the ongoing issue of juvenile crime. The chief emphasized that while crime overall is down, the rate of violent incidents involving juveniles remains a concern. He attributed part of the problem to limitations within state competency laws and the broader children’s criminal code, which he suggested make it difficult to hold repeat juvenile offenders accountable.

Story urged legislative action on these issues as soon as this year’s New Mexico legislative session that begins this week.

“Juvenile justice is probably my number one,” he said. He pointed out that both accountability and rehabilitation need to be included in any solution.

A Q&A session at which attendees had an opportunity to talk with department leadership and a collection of officers one-on-one followed the department’s presentation.

The town hall echoed the concerns that have been shared by a significant number of state legislators who have the topic on their minds as they begin their work in Santa Fe over the next 30 days.