Why is the National Guard tasked with traffic duty amidst a raging crime crisis in Albuquerque?
At a Glance
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham approved the deployment of 60-70 National Guard members to Albuquerque.
- The deployment aims to address the ongoing fentanyl epidemic and rising juvenile crime.
- Some community leaders challenge the sufficiency of this intervention, advocating for stricter reforms.
- Serious crimes among minors and the fentanyl crisis highlight the dire need for action.
National Guard Deployment
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order to deploy the National Guard to Albuquerque by mid-May. Around 60-70 members are tasked to assist local police by managing traffic and prisoner transport, an action seeking to address pressing issues: juvenile crime surges and the relentless fentanyl epidemic. It’s a move that’s drawn mixed reactions, including significant pushback from political figures claiming it falls grossly short.
Watch coverage of the deployment!
Critics ponder the practicality of this decision—the National Guard, after all, won’t be directly tackling the criminal elements or the narcotics, raising questions on whether this is more for optics than outcomes. Will reducing police burdens bring about substantive change, or does it merely scratch the surface? These questions linger, especially among those demanding robust solutions.
Voices of Opposition
Executive Director of the New Mexico Republican Party, Leticia Muñoz, expressed stark criticism, articulating that the deployment is simply not enough. Muñoz went as far as to call for comprehensive bail reforms and advocated for harsher penalties, emphasizing that current measures fail to address the critical depths of Albuquerque’s issues.
“No, this is definitely not enough,” Muñoz claimed. “What this is, is you can see a mismanagement, obviously, of the mayor. And, you know, as much as we appreciate all the work that the law enforcement is doing here in Albuquerque, we know that their hands are tied. We know that there needs to be bail reform and reform as far as the deterrent of keeping individuals in jail longer.”
The situation becomes palpable with recent statistics showing Albuquerque police have dealt with 2,600 minors involved in criminal activities between 2019 and 2024. Concurrently, Operation Route 66 yielded nearly 400 arrests, highlighting a community in dire need of effective governance.
Persistent Fentanyl Crisis
Fentanyl continues to ravage New Mexico, being implicated in 65% of overdose deaths in 2023. The urgency in resolving this crisis is evident from the nearly 2,700 fentanyl pills seized by law enforcement. This isn’t just about maintaining traffic order or patrol presence—it’s about a systemic approach to tackle deep-rooted problems.
“I will accept and collaborate with anybody that helps with crime, period. But our deputies and the New Mexico State Police, probation and parole, the DA’s office, we’ve had close to 400 arrests, and we’re getting fentanyl off the streets. I know that we’re making a difference in the community.” – Sheriff John Allen
Local residents like Will Stephens express their frustrations, as loitering and drug activities infiltrate even residential vicinities, thus supporting the National Guard’s intervention despite serious doubts about its comprehensive applicability. Stephens’ sentiments resonate with many who feel embroiled in bureaucratic ineptitude.
