LAPD NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone has released the third-quarter NIBRS statistics for 2026, recording 74 Group A Offenses in the third quarter compared to 77 during the same period in 2025.

Because theft, fraud, and simple assault still comprise 75% of all police reports, residents can significantly lower their risks by adapting their daily safety habits.

Defending Against Scams & Fraud
Digital and financial scams make up a significant portion of local crime reports. Protect your accounts with these strategies:

• Question Urgent Demands: Treat any unexpected message demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency as a scam. Fraudsters often pretend to be government agencies, local utility companies, or police officers.
  
• Create a Family Safe-Word: With the rise of AI voice-cloning technology, pick a unique phrase with your loved ones. If someone calls claiming to be a family member in an emergency, ask for the safe-word to verify their identity.
  
• Look Up Official Numbers: If you receive a questionable alert about a compromised bank account, hang up immediately. Call the customer service number printed directly on the back of your debit or credit card instead of using numbers provided in text messages.
  
• Enable Double Authentication: Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all financial and personal email accounts to block hackers even if they manage to steal your password.
  
  Preventing Larceny & Theft
  Most property theft is opportunistic. You can deter thieves by removing easy targets:
  
• Lock Up Routinely: Secure all house doors, windows, and garage entryways every time you leave, even if it is only for a few minutes.
  
• Clear Out Your Car: Never leave electronics, shopping bags, wallets, or luggage visible through your car windows. Always lock your vehicle doors and take your key fobs inside with you.
  
• Watch Your Neighborhood: Stay aware of unusual activity on your street and
  cooperate with neighbors to keep an eye on each other’s homes while away.
  
  Minimizing Simple Assault Risks
  Personal conflicts account for the final major slice of the recent crime statistics. Keep yourself safe using basic conflict resolution:
  
• Walk Away Early: Remove yourself from tense arguments, road rage incidents, or hostile environments before the situation gets out of hand.
  
• Use Calm Communication: If a confrontation is unavoidable, keep your voice steady avoid aggressive body language, and focus on lowering the emotional tension.
  
• Call for Help: Never hesitate to contact the authorities if a verbal dispute begins turning or feels unsafe to handle alone.
  
  If you receive a suspicious call, email, or encounter a volatile situation, you can contact
  the Los Alamos Police Department directly at 505-662-8222.

Editor’s note: The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is the FBI’s standard framework for law enforcement agencies to collect and report detailed, granular data on individual crime incidents