‘Extra set of eyes and ears': APD launches new Dog Walker Watch Program
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department is launching a new initiative to teach dog walkers how to spot and report crime in the community.
'When I heard about the program through one of our neighborhood associations, it seemed like a natural extension of our neighborhood watch program. And it really is asking folks that are out and about in their neighborhoods to be an extra set of eyes and ears for the police,' said Laura Kuehn, APD senior crime prevention specialist.
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Volunteers with the Dog Walker Watch Program will be trained by APD on what suspicious behavior looks like in neighborhoods. 'So that could be someone going around a neighborhood, going into driveways and looking into vehicles, or trying door handles. It could be someone that is observed ringing a doorbell and, when there's no answer, going to the side or the back of the home,' Kuehn explained, adding that another suspicious behavior commonly seen in communities includes thieves following delivery drivers to steal packages.
If a member of the Dog Walker Watch Program witnesses suspicious activity, they are encouraged to report it to the police department by calling 242-cops for non-emergencies and 911 for crimes in progress.
'The more involved our communities are, it encourages a sense of safety within those communities. So, you know, that's always our message is, you know, to be out and about, to be observant, and to be involved in the community that you live in,' Kuehn said.
The first training event for the Dog Walker Watch Program will be held Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at Vista del Norte Park, 1005 Osuna NE, near the dog park.
Kuehn said the department plans to hold more trainings in the future and encourages anyone interested in the program to contact her via email at lkuehn@cabq.gov.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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