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What I haven't seen anyone explain yet is how is New Mexico truly unique -- even as far as how the "poverty" relates to crime compared to any other state in the USA?--particularly states like New Jersey and Massachusetts that have both a) several cities on the list of top 100 most dangerous cities and b) plenty of poverty.
I get the impression that indirectly people agree you shouldn't use the statistics to rank New Mexico as the fourth most dangerous state -- But New Mexico deserves it anyway!
Can you explain what it is you're getting at-- if NM were higher or lower on the list, how would that affect you? Do you think anyone can really explain why we have the ranking we do? You seem to have a real sense of urgency to answer this question which I find more than a little strange.
Apparently the ranking of the cities has little bearing on the overall state rankings. I think this has been pointed out already.
It's not like you're suddenly in more or less danger once you cross a state line because of rankings. If I went to the state ranked the "most dangerous" I probably wouldn't feel any different than if I went to the one ranked "least dangerous." The first one probably isn't that dangerous, and the last is probably not that safe. If you want to take a more global perspective, the U.S. is far more "dangerous" than Canada, Australia, or any European country. Are you going to leave the country because of it?
Prove it. Please back up your assertions with some evidence. The latest ranking I find (2012) of the top 10 for auto theft shows eight cities in California and two in Washington State.
1. Fresno, CA
2. Modesto, CA
3. Bakersfield, CA
4. Stockton-Lodi, CA
5. Yakima, WA
6. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
7. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
8. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
9. Spokane, WA
10. Redding, CA
Exactly, yet you saw fit to make assumptions about New Mexico after having your truck stolen. My point was to show that this type of crime is not a "normal" New Mexico phenomenon that average people here just yawn at.
I have not heard of people talking about these experiences here any more than I have living elsewhere. I think you are exaggerating, unless you were living in some very sheltered suburbs or small towns before.
Sure I remember distinctly when going to college here in New Mexico, Albuquerque was top 10 in auto thefts and sure enough it was number 8 in 2008, number 6 in 2007, and number 13 in 2006. As I said in the my original post I don't know the numbers today only past when I lived in NM, but your assertion that my impression is wrong or somehow off base baffles me, once again I wasn't surprised it was stolen, I wouldn't be surprised if it my other vehicle was stolen tonight, it just happens here more often than the other two states I have lived in the past few years.
I'm not sure how one argues against the perception of another individual which is what I presented. I didn't say NM is worse than X and here is the data to back it up, in fact I haven't even mentioned the two states/areas I previously resided in, maybe I really did live in a sheltered suburb as you yourself suggest or maybe I didn't.
What it does show however is a knee jerk reaction and a creation of assumptions I have not disclosed in order to validate your own personal beliefs and perceptions of the city.
In case anyone is wondering from the dates of October 1st to October 9th the APD has reported 84 cars stolen, so as I said before it's not as uncommon as one might think.
I already did. It's the validity of New Mexico's fourth most dangerous state ranking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries63
Do you think anyone can really explain why we have the ranking we do?
Yes I do, which is why I asked for opinions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries63
You seem to have a real sense of urgency to answer this question which I find more than a little strange.
LOL! I find your irritation a little strange.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries63
Apparently the ranking of the cities has little bearing on the overall state rankings. I think this has been pointed out already.
Ah but you see, this is contradictory information. One would expect the states with the cities on the 100 most dangerous cities list to also show up as the top most dangerous states. New Mexico is a good example of some kind of contradiction if only Farmington makes the cities list (as I pointed out initially).
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries63
If you want to take a more global perspective, the U.S. is far more "dangerous" than Canada, Australia, or any European country. Are you going to leave the country because of it?
The topic is about crime in New Mexico, not other countries, but I agree the USA is a dangerous place compared to Canada and European countries (except perhaps Greece at the moment). I am in no way suggesting anybody should leave the state or the country because of statistical ratings. If anything, I'm trying to deconstruct how the ranking of New Mexico is misleading and not valid. I thought in your comparison with your experience in Massachusetts you were on the same page.
I've lived in 8 states & we have only had the windows of our truck shot out in Albq and our truck stolen in NM at the trading post at Pueblo Pintado of all places. The truck was stolen by a guy on his way down to Mexico to resell, but fell asleep at the wheel, drove off the road & the vehicle was recovered. The cops told us there was quite a business for stolen trucks in Mexico.
BUT.... I would be very careful regarding pointing a finger just at poverty. Drugs, gangs, drugs, "low-lifes", did I mention drugs has always played a role in NM.
We did not lock our doors living in such places as small town Montana or small town Colorado. We do at our place in NM.
Mine, simply anecdotal of course.
However, 80 auto thefts in a week is Albq is a telling stat.
Ah..... I did not notice they had the 2012 stats up...
Thanks
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