- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency to address rising crime and the opioid crisis straining local law enforcement. Starting mid-May, 60 to 70 National Guard troops will assist Albuquerque police with non-law enforcement duties.
- The governor says the deployment aims to support officers while they focus on community safety.
- The ACLU of New Mexico warns the move could lead to increased profiling and the criminalization of vulnerable populations.
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New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency, not in response to a natural disaster, but to address rising crime and the ongoing opioid crisis she says are overwhelming local law enforcement.
Executive order will bring State National Guard to help local officers
The executive order, signed Tuesday, April 8, allows the deployment of 60 to 70 National Guard troops to Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, starting in mid-May. The troops, currently in training, will assist with scene control during critical incidents, provide medical support, help transport prisoners and use drones to enhance aerial surveillance.
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According to the governor, the move is in response to a surge in violent offenses, particularly among juveniles. Just last month, Albuquerque police arrested a 13-year-old accused of intentionally crashing a stolen vehicle into a man riding his bike to work. An 11-year-old and a 15-year-old were also allegedly involved.
“We’re ensuring that trained police officers can focus on what they do best, keeping our communities safe,” Lujan Grisham said. “This partnership represents our commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and juvenile crime with every resource at our disposal.”
Mayor Tim Keller calls deployment a pilot program
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller described the Guard’s deployment as a pilot program rather than a law enforcement operation. “They are not doing law enforcement,” Keller said during a press conference Tuesday. “They do not have weapons. They’re not going to be using any military vehicles.”
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said the added support would allow officers to shift their focus to proactive patrols and crime prevention. He also noted that crime has been trending downward: property crime is down 33% from last year, violent crime has dropped 20%, and homicides are down 48%, according to city data.
ACLU voices concern
However, not everyone supports the deployment. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico expressed concern, calling the order a potential risk to civil liberties.
“History has shown that military collaboration with local law enforcement often leads to increased civil rights violations, racial profiling, and criminalization of vulnerable populations,” said Daniel Williams, a policy advocate with the ACLU of New Mexico.
This is not the first time the governor has turned to state-level resources to assist local agencies. In 2021, Lujan Grisham reassigned state police officers to help with drug trafficking cases, vehicle theft and the execution of felony warrants for violent offenders.
