New Mexico’s Largest City Declares State of Emergency, Deploys National Guard to Address Crime Surge
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has taken decisive action in response to a significant increase in crime in Albuquerque by declaring a state of emergency and calling on the New Mexico National Guard for assistance. The governor signed an executive order to deploy several dozen troops along the historic Route 66 corridor, with training already underway for 60 to 70 troops.
This move marks a departure from the usual deployment of the National Guard for natural disasters, as the troops will be assisting the Albuquerque Police Department in combating rising crime rates. Police Chief Harold Medina emphasized the need for additional support to allow officers more time to patrol the streets and address criminal activities effectively.
Mayor Tim Keller and Chief Medina outlined the areas where the National Guard will provide assistance, including securing crime scenes, distributing supplies to the homeless population, transporting prisoners, providing courthouse security, and utilizing drones for surveillance operations. The troops will not engage with the public directly but will take on tasks that currently burden law enforcement officers.
While the deployment of the National Guard aims to address the immediate crime crisis in Albuquerque, concerns have been raised by watchdog groups about the potential for civil rights violations. Daniel Williams of the ACLU of New Mexico highlighted the risks associated with militarizing law enforcement and the history of increased civil rights violations in such scenarios.
This is not the first time Governor Lujan Grisham has sought to address high crime rates in Albuquerque. In previous years, state resources have been allocated to support local law enforcement efforts against various criminal activities. The current emergency declaration follows a request from Chief Medina citing the fentanyl epidemic and a rise in violent juvenile crime as pressing issues that require additional resources.
The decision to deploy the National Guard comes after the New Mexico Legislature adjourned last month, drawing criticism for not adequately addressing public safety concerns in Albuquerque and other communities. Despite some progress in reducing aggravated assaults and homicides in recent years, the need for enhanced law enforcement resources remains a priority for local authorities.
As the National Guard prepares to assist in combating crime in Albuquerque, the collaboration between military and civilian law enforcement will be closely monitored to ensure that civil rights are protected and vulnerable populations are not unfairly targeted. Governor Lujan Grisham’s proactive approach to addressing the crime surge highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and security in New Mexico’s largest city.
