Las Cruces, NM (KKOB) – The City of Las Cruces is reporting a 13% drop overall in crime so far in 2026 compared to the same time in 2025. Among the largest decrease is the homicide rate which is down 70% from ten murders this time last year, to just three so far in 2026. Auto Theft is down 42%, and property crime down 18%. Still, LCPD reports they have seen increases in robberies by 76% and total violent crime is up 32%. Recently, Las Cruces Police started a joint operation with New Mexico State Police and NMSU Police called “Operation Not In Vain”, which resulted in 46 arrests, several firearms recovered, as well as drug seizures between May and July of this year in New Mexico’s 2nd largest city.
