APD SAYS THERE WAS A BIG REDUCTION IN CRIME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS YEARS ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA. A SPECIAL UNIT WAS PUT TOGETHER, FOCUSING ON 18 HOTELS, WHERE MORE THAN 400 OUT OF TOWN BALLOONISTS STAYED DURING THE NINE DAY EVENT.
EIGHTEEN ARRESTS WERE MADE, FOR CRIMES LIKE I-D THEFT, AUTO THEFT AND DRUG CRIMES. POLICE SAY THERE WAS A 60-PERCENT REDUCTION IN AUTO BURGLARIES, AND CAR THEFTS WERE CUT IN HALF COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO. ALSO, NO BALLOONS WERE STOLEN.
