National Guard Deployed as Band-Aid While Crime Bleeds Albuquerque Dry
National Guard Deployment Aims to Free Police Resources
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order deploying 60-70 National Guard personnel to Albuquerque by mid-May in response to what she described as “critical issues requiring immediate intervention.” The Guard members will assist with scene security, traffic control, and prisoner transport rather than directly confronting criminals, allowing police officers to focus on addressing juvenile crime and fentanyl distribution.
Albuquerque has struggled with a surge in juvenile crime, with police arresting or citing 2,600 minors aged 11 to 17 between 2019 and 2024. A recent high-profile case involved a 13-year-old boy charged with first-degree murder following a fatal car accident, with the juvenile also linked to multiple burglaries.
Republicans Call For Stronger Reforms
New Mexico Republican Party Executive Director Leticia Muñoz has criticized the National Guard deployment as insufficient for addressing the city’s crime crisis. “No, this is definitely not enough,” Muñoz told Fox News Digital, pointing to what she describes as “mismanagement” by Albuquerque’s mayor and calling for comprehensive bail reform to keep dangerous individuals incarcerated longer.
Muñoz also expressed opposition to a proposed pilot program that would offer housing assistance to juvenile suspects after detention, characterizing it as “coddling” that fails to hold young offenders accountable. The criticism highlights the partisan divide over how best to address juvenile crime, with Republicans generally favoring stronger deterrents and Democrats often supporting rehabilitation programs.
The fentanyl epidemic represents a significant component of Albuquerque’s public safety challenges, with the synthetic opioid-involved in 65% of overdose deaths in New Mexico last year. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen reported that Operation Route 66 has led to the seizure of 2,700 fentanyl pills and nearly 400 arrests, demonstrating the scale of the problem.
National Guard members will be unarmed and wear civilian clothing to minimize community disruption while performing their support duties. The ACLU of New Mexico has expressed concerns about potential civil rights violations with increased law enforcement presence, while some residents, like retired chef Will Stephens, support additional resources to address drug users loitering in neighborhoods.
While Albuquerque’s crime rates have shown some improvement, officials aim to sustain this positive momentum. Mayor Tim Keller noted, “We’re finally seeing a sustained positive shift in most crime trends for the first time in decades, and now is the time to build on that momentum,” supporting the Guard deployment as part of a broader strategy to maintain progress.
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