Albuquerque police officer gives crime prevention tips Published Sept. 15, 2014 By Lee Ross Nucleus editor KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Albuquerque Police Sgt. Mizel Garcia's advice about crime prevention Friday, in very few words, was to stay aware. Garcia, who is part of the Albuquerque Police Department Organized Crime Unit, said anyone can develop a keen eye for detail and spot drug deals in parking lots, know who has a gun and pick out the people who are looking for trouble. About two dozen people attended the workshop, which was held at the 377th Air Base Wing Presentation Center. "I think the biggest thing you all want is your personal safety," he said. When it comes to violent crimes, victims are usually drug dealers, people who use drugs, gang members or involved in a domestic dispute. According to a recent homicide report, someone was murdered because a dealer felt he was shortchanged by $1 in a $3 drug deal, he said. People who get along with their significant other and aren't involved with gangs or drugs should be able to avoid violent situations, he said. "Every once in a while, somebody is driving down the street and catches a stray bullet in the back of the head," he said. "And we do have some road rage here in Albuquerque." Garcia said there are quite a few gang members in Albuquerque. He said to avoid areas where gangs are known to be or where crime happens. For his family, he has a rule that no one stays at the New Mexico State Fair past 5 p.m. "Nothing good happens after five," he said. Another bit of advice he gave was to be sure the garage door actually closes before going to work. A lot of the garage doors in his neighborhood, the Northeast Heights, are left open all day, he said. Oftentimes, the safety sensors are accidentally triggered and the door never closes, he said. "A lot of (crime) is self-inflicted," he said. "That's probably the easiest access point." Garcia gave a few more pieces of advice: ■ If a suspicious person comes to your door, yell that you're busy or turn up the television to let them know you are home. ■ Keep documents, check books and other personal information secure and shred what you can. Criminals are moving away from stealing electronics in favor of identity theft and white-collar crime, Garcia said. ■ Keep a copy of the serial numbers of any big-ticket items in your home. That way, if those items are stolen and taken to a pawn shop, they can be recovered. For more information about how to prevent crime on and off base, contact the 377th Security Forces Squadron at 853-7873.