After Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she is sending the National Guard to Albuquerque to address an increase in juvenile crime and fentanyl, the state’s GOP said the move is insufficient.
Grisham issued an executive order on April 8 authorizing the deployment of 60-70 New Mexico National Guard personnel to Albuquerque by mid-May, citing the fentanyl epidemic and an increase in juvenile crime as “critical issues requiring immediate intervention.”
However, the National Guard will not be directly involved in addressing the fentanyl crisis or juvenile crime. Instead, they will be used for scene security and traffic control, prisoner transport assistance, and other non-arrest roles. According to a press release from Grisham’s office, the National Guard will free up Albuquerque police department resources.
According to New Mexico Republican Party Executive Director Leticia Muñoz, the deployment of the National Guard is insufficient to address the issue. She believes more substantive measures, such as bail reform and harsher penalties, are required.
“No, this is not enough. What you see here is obvious mayoral mismanagement. Muñoz expressed appreciation for law enforcement’s efforts in Albuquerque, but acknowledged their limitations. “We know that there needs to be bail reform and reform as far as the deterrent of keeping individuals in jail longer.”
She claimed that Democrats appear to be attempting to “coddle juveniles,” citing a proposed pilot program in the state that would provide up to $2,000 in housing assistance to juvenile suspects after they are released from detention if they behave well.
“That alone just shows you the coddling mentality that the Democrats have for any type of juveniles and crime here in the state,” she said when asked about the proposal.
From 2019 to 2024, Albuquerque police arrested or cited 2,600 minors aged 11 to 17, according to KRQE.
In March, Albuquerque police arrested a 13-year-old boy for allegedly driving a stolen car and hitting 63-year-old Scott Dwight Habermehl, who was riding his bicycle to work in May 2024.
Police also arrested two other minors, aged 11 and 15, who were in the car with the 13-year-old when Habermehl was hit.
They are all charged with first-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in great bodily harm or death, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 19.
The 13-year-old who allegedly drove the car was also a suspect in a string of burglaries in June 2024.
The National Guard has been deployed to Albuquerque for a variety of reasons, not just juvenile crime. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen told KOB4 that since Operation Route 66 began seven weeks ago, approximately 2,700 fentanyl pills have been removed from the streets, with nearly 400 arrests made.
“I will accept and collaborate with anyone who helps combat crime, period. But our deputies, the New Mexico State Police, probation and parole, and the District Attorney’s Office have made nearly 400 arrests, and we’re getting fentanyl off the streets. “I know we are making a difference in the community,” Allen stated.
