Chief Portillo Suggests "Broken System"

Silver City -- All violent crime in Silver City, including homicide and rape, dropped in 2023, though assaults and burglaries of homes and businesses - especially in the southwestern quadrant of the city, which includes the historic downtown business district - increased, according to annual crime statistics compiled by Silver City Police Chief Freddie Portillo.

There were no murders in 2023, compared to two the prior year, and rape was down 14%, but assaults, both simple and aggravated, were up 49% and 40%, respectively. Aggravated assaults include the use of, or the threat to use, a weapon. Home and business burglaries, or breaking and entering, also increased. Silver City Police officers responded to 63 home burglaries, an increase of 29%, and 42 burglaries of a business, representing a 35% increase over 2023.  All larcenies, including shoplifting, theft from autos and other private property, were down 8%.

Overall, SCPD officers responded to 11,548 calls for service in 2023, a 3% jump from the prior year, while self-initiated calls by officers were up 17%.  Total citations were up 53%, and 1,327 arrests were made, a 9% increase over the prior year. Though Portillo is pleased that his officers are being pro-active and initiating calls, he also expressed his frustration with the criminal justice system overall, which he characterized as "broken," and questioned why, with both arrests and citations up, how criminal activity is also on the rise.

"Our criminal justice system has become a revolving door," said Chief Portillo. "It's not working for us.  Too many cases are being dismissed due to defendants being declared incompetent.  We arrest the same people over and over again, and they tell us to our face, "I'll be found incompetent, or be out of jail tomorrow." If people who commit crimes know there's no consequences for their actions, how can we deter crime even while my officers are working hard, being proactive and creating solid cases if the rest of the system isn't working? Victims of crimes have the right to feel protected and know the offender will be held accountable for their actions." 

In an effort to keep department morale high, Portillo said he has communicated his frustration to the District Attorney's office, and shared the memo with officers. Portillo pledged that his department will continue to "be proactive, file charges and make arrests to keep this community safe, and continue to work with other agencies and utilize outside resources to assist us in our efforts."

He also hopes that a new state law signed recently by Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham requiring New Mexico courts to hold felons in custody who violate the conditions of their release will at least slow that revolving door. "I'm hopeful that it will make a difference," Portillo said.

In another key category, arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) were up 42%, with a total of 119 arrests made in '23, compared to 84 the prior year. Grant funding assists the department to fund overtime patrols for DWI prevention and arrests, as well as overall traffic and criminal enforcement activities. Portillo will continue applying and utilizing such funding, he said, along with grants for equipment upgrades and advanced training for every commissioned officer.

SCPD also participates in the Region VII High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force, officers of which made 48 arrests and seized 23,045 doses of the highly dangerous drug Fetanyl in 2023, along with nearly 92 pounds of methamphetamine; 28 pounds of cocaine; nearly three pounds of heroin; and 48 firearms. The department also will continue to conduct undercover operations to identify and arrest persons who solicit children for sex via the internet, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children, or ICAC Task Force, which recently resulted in the arrest of three Grant County men.

Other significant criminal statistics include a 45% jump in auto thefts - 32 in 2023 versus 22 the prior year, though 19 of the stolen vehicles were recovered.  In at least some cases, such theft is opportunistic, Portillo said, when owners leave their keys in the car or the vehicle unlocked; even running. "I encourage people to simply be more aware, slow down and take the time to make sure your vehicles, your home and your property are properly secured. Don't give criminals a helping hand."

Also, code enforcement - including all animal-related citations - were up 34% for the year, and Portillo and officers nearly achieved their goal of reducing traffic crashes by 10%. There were 259 vehicle crashes last year, a 9% decrease, though private property crashes increased 75%.  Though SCPD officers have no jurisdiction on private property for traffic enforcement, Chief Portillo encouraged drivers to use more caution when driving in parking lots and other private locations. He also asked local residents to continue reporting suspicious activity, and to call him personally with any questions or concerns about local law enforcement.

"Our goal is to continue to have a positive working relationship with the community to help reduce criminal activity, increase visibility and enhance quality of life," he said, adding that the local computer-aided dispatch system is currently being upgraded, which will make it easier to report crime data to the public in a timely manner, using the town's website and the SCPD Facebook page.

For more information, please contact Freddie Portillo, Silver City Chief of Police, at (575) 538-3723, Ext.1243, or chiefofpolice@silvercitynm.gov .