Albuquerque Daily Brief: Crime drops, wildfire power alerts, Sandia test, Haaland’s affordability push

Top local headlines

Here’s what Albuquerque residents were talking about heading into Friday: public safety numbers, wildfire-season power planning, and a heads-up from Sandia about a day of testing that could be heard across parts of town.

Crime report: 2025 totals drop to an eight-year low

City police released a 2025 snapshot that shows overall crime at its lowest level in about eight years. Police reported a year-over-year drop in violent crime, fewer homicides compared with the prior year, and a longer-term decline that officials say reflects sustained enforcement and prevention work.

Even with the encouraging trend, city leaders emphasized that the work isn’t finished, especially around gun violence, repeat offenders, and neighborhood quality-of-life issues that don’t always show up in major-crime tallies.

PNM expands alerts ahead of possible wildfire-related shutoffs

PNM announced a new alert approach aimed at residents in designated high-fire-risk areas, designed to give more notice before power is turned off during severe fire-weather conditions. The idea is to improve lead time so households and small businesses can charge devices, plan for medical equipment needs, and prepare for temporary outages.

The utility says the shutoff tool is meant for extreme conditions and would be paired with weather monitoring and outreach, as New Mexico heads into a season when wind and low humidity can quickly raise fire danger.

Sandia warns residents about a controlled explosives test

Sandia National Laboratories said a controlled explosives test was planned for Feb. 26 on the south side of Kirtland Air Force Base. Depending on weather and timing, some residents could hear a boom and see dust or smoke during the scheduled window. Officials noted plans can shift with conditions.

Politics watch: Deb Haaland rolls out an ‘affordability agenda’ in Albuquerque

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland used an Albuquerque stop to outline a campaign pitch focused on cost-of-living pressures, tying proposals to her personal story and to priorities her team has framed around education, health care, public safety, and affordability.

Sources

• https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-crime-stats-2025/70540074
• https://www.tricityrecordnm.com/articles/pnm-creates-new-power-shutoff-alert-system-for-residents-in-wildfire-prone-areas/
• https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-explosion-late-february-kirtland-test/70485413
• https://www.ksfr.org/government/2026-02-26/deb-haaland-announces-affordability-agenda-in-campaign-for-nm-governor