Total incidents of crime in Durango from January through March are trending downward compared with the first quarter of 2021, according to a statistical report provided by the Durango Police Department.

Chief Bob Brammer said DPD is increasing its efforts in crime prevention by concentrating its presence on “hot spots” – areas of the city that are more prone to criminal activities – because people are less likely to commit crimes when police are present.

He said the department’s efforts correlate with decreases in violent crimes, property crimes and other offenses in 2022 compared with 2021.

Violent crimes, including aggravated assault, robbery, rape and homicide, are down by 55% from January through March this year compared with the same time period last year, and property crimes are down by 30%.

There were 22 violent crimes, but no homicides, in the first quarter of 2021 and 10 violent crimes, also without homicides, in the first quarter of this year.

One hundred ninety-five property crimes, such as burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and shoplifting, occurred in the first quarter of 2021. Property crimes from January through March this year totaled 136.

DPD’s first-quarter incident report shows a total of 10,025 calls this year, an increase of 16%. But the majority of those have been officer-initiated, such as doing extra patrols, Brammer said, in line with the department’s hot spot strategy.

Other crimes have in general followed the trends of violent crimes and property crimes and have fallen by 24% compared with the first quarter of last year. There were 1,241 reported crimes (excluding violent and property crimes) in the first quarter of 2021 and 944 crimes reported in the first quarter of 2022.

Citations issued in the first quarter of this year are up by 36% (from 205 to 279) while arrests have dropped 40% (from 142 to 85).

Meanwhile, traffic tickets issued are up by 105% this quarter.

The hot spots where police focus their energy can change depending on what activities are going on around town, Brammer said. For example, a heavier police presence might be felt on north Main Avenue and U.S. Highway 550 near the edge of town during ski season because of the influx of drivers coming and going at high speeds.

While hot spots can shift, there are four mainstays DPD has made it a point to increase patrols, Brammer said.

Those mainstays are Walmart, Town Plaza, west College Drive near Albertsons and the Central Business District, mainly because of the bars, he said.

Brammer said police have also been working with bouncers to help them handle patrons who may have drank too much or are picking fights with other people.

While crimes overall are trending downward, he said community awareness is still a key factor in preventing oneself from becoming a victim.

Vehicle crimes remain high, according to data, with just one less motor vehicle theft from January through March this year compared with the same quarter last year. The chief said preventing vehicle theft is as simple as locking it and removing the keys when it’s not in use.

With the weather warming up and summer on the horizon, instances of graffiti are becoming more frequent, Brammer said.

“That’s something we see almost every single year,” he said.

If someone’s property has been tagged, the best mitigation tool to prevent more graffiti is to cover the current graffiti, he said.

Longer spring and summer nights also tend to invite more parties, and as the alcohol flows, Brammer said more intoxicated people take to the streets in their vehicles.

“We need to make sure that we’re taking advantage of our Uber systems and safe rides,” he said. “... Because our officers will be out there and we will hold you accountable for drinking and driving. It’s one of our No. 1 priorities.”

cburney@durangoherald.com