In response to a significant spike in crime, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Albuquerque on Tuesday, marking a historic move to deploy the New Mexico National Guard to aid local law enforcement. The executive order signed by the governor will see between 60 and 70 National Guard troops stationed along the iconic Route 66 corridor beginning in mid-May.
The move, aimed at tackling a growing crime wave in New Mexico’s largest city, also frees up state funds to support the deployment, with training for the troops already underway. Albuquerque, like many other cities across the nation, has faced mounting pressure from increasing crime rates, and local law enforcement has expressed the need for additional resources.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina emphasized the importance of the National Guard’s support in freeing up police officers to focus more on patrolling and crime prevention. Speaking at a press conference with Mayor Tim Keller, Medina presented a large chart showing a drop in crime across multiple categories, crediting the current police efforts. However, he stressed that more help was necessary to address the persistent issues facing the city.
“The National Guard will not be engaging with the public directly. Their role will be supportive, handling tasks like traffic control, securing crime scenes, transporting prisoners, and assisting with drone operations to locate suspects or assess incidents,” said Medina. The troops will also assist in distributing food and supplies to the homeless population along the Route 66 corridor, which has seen a surge in homelessness in recent years.
While the deployment of the National Guard is seen as a potential relief for overwhelmed police officers, the decision has raised concerns among civil rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico has expressed alarm over the militarization of local law enforcement, warning that such measures often lead to civil rights violations, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the homeless and impoverished.
Daniel Williams, policy advocate at the ACLU, criticized the move as a “show of force” rather than a comprehensive solution. “New Mexico already has one of the highest per capita rates of people killed by police in the nation. History has shown that military collaboration with local law enforcement often leads to increased civil rights violations, racial profiling, and the criminalization of vulnerable populations,” Williams said.
The National Guard’s role is not without precedent. Governors across the U.S. have used the National Guard in recent years to address various public safety issues, from natural disasters to illegal border crossings. In 2021, Governor Lujan Grisham temporarily assigned state police officers to Albuquerque to help tackle rising crime, particularly vehicle thefts, drug trafficking, and aggressive driving.
The recent surge in crime prompted Albuquerque’s police chief to request the National Guard’s assistance, citing the growing fentanyl epidemic and an alarming increase in violent juvenile crime. Medina’s letter to the governor also pointed to the ongoing challenges along Central Avenue, where shootings and aggravated assaults had plagued the area. Despite some progress in reducing these incidents, the police chief argued that additional resources were necessary to maintain and accelerate the improvements.
Lujan Grisham’s latest emergency declaration comes after the New Mexico Legislature adjourned without passing significant public safety measures, frustrating law enforcement leaders, prosecutors, and the governor. In February, Albuquerque police released data showing an 11% decrease in aggravated assaults and a second consecutive year of reduced homicides in the city, signaling progress. However, local officials remain concerned about the long-term effectiveness of these reductions without sustained support from both state and federal authorities.
As the National Guard prepares to assist Albuquerque, the city grapples with the challenge of balancing public safety with civil liberties, a concern that will likely dominate discussions in the coming months.
Chioma Kalu
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