New Mexico governor mobilizes National Guard to tackle crime emergency in Albuquerque

Gov.Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in New Mexico’s largest city, saying that a significant increase in crime in Albuquerque warrants the help of the New Mexico National Guard.She signed an executive order, clearing the way for several dozen troops to be deployed along the historic Route 66 corridor starting in mid-May.

The order also frees up state funds for the National Guard to use as part of the effort.Training for 60 to 70 troops already is underway, the governor’s office said.Governors typically call up the National Guard to help with natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes.Governors in recent years also have ordered troops to address illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border.

In New York last year, the National Guard helped patrol the subway system following a series of high-profile crimes.In New Mexico, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina called it a crucial time for the National Guard to provide support that gives police officers more time to patrol the streets for crime.Medina and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller pointed to a large chart during a news conference, saying nearly every category of crime has come down since the beginning of the year because of the work already being done by the police force.The National Guard will not be engaging with the public, they said, but rather taking on duties that drain the time of sworn officers, like directing traffic.The troops can help secure crime scenes, distribute food and supplies to the homeless population throughout the corridor, transport prisoners, provide courthouse security and run drone operations used for locating suspects or assessing incidents, officials said.Watchdog groups have concerns that militarizing civilian law enforcement will lead to civil rights violations.Daniel Williams, policy advocate at the ACLU of New Mexico, called the governor’s action a show of force, not a solution.“New Mexico already has one of the hig...