This is your weekly update, which takes a quick look at the week ahead and some developments that El Paso Matters is following.
El Paso Crime on the Rise: El Paso’s crime rate shot up 10% in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago, according to data released this month by the FBI. Even with the increase, El Paso’s crime rate is among the lowest of major cities reporting data to the FBI. But El Paso is among the few large U.S. cities showing an increase in crime during the first three quarters of 2023.
El Paso had 27 homicides in the first nine months of 2023, almost double the number in the same period a year earlier. Auto thefts shot up by 37%, and robberies were up by 32%, according to the FBI data. The only major crime category showing a decrease was rape, down 18%.
The 90th Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl featuring Oregon State and Notre Dame is Friday, Dec. 29 at the UTEP Sun Bowl Stadium. (Graphic courtesy Sun Bowl Association)
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: The 90th Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl pitting the Oregon State Beavers against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is Friday at the UTEP Sun Bowl Stadium. Kick off is at noon, and the game will be televised live on CBS.
Events leading up the big game include the Sun Bowl Pregame Fan Party from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at Glory Field. The fan party features music, games, giveaways, university bands and food and drink booths. The Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta is from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center in Downtown. Presented by El Paso Live, the fiesta includes university pep rallies, a battle of the bands and entertainment by Jessica Flores, DJ Johnny Kage, mariachis and a drone show. Both events are free and open to the public. Information: sunbowl.org.
City Council Meeting Rescheduled: The regular El Paso City Council meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 2 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 3. The council will discuss several items, including the El Paso Water utility budget, items related to the city’s climate action plan and developments from the special state legislative session related to Senate Bill 4 that would make it a state crime to illegally cross the border from Mexico.
The post The Week Ahead: El Paso crime rate increases with homicides, auto thefts, robberies rising appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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