Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has made the decision to send the National Guard to Albuquerque in response to a surge in juvenile crime and fentanyl, but the state’s GOP believes this action falls short.
An executive order was signed by Grisham on April 8 to deploy around 60-70 New Mexico National Guard members to Albuquerque by mid-May. She highlighted the fentanyl crisis and the increase in juvenile crime as pressing matters that require immediate attention.
However, the National Guard’s role will not involve directly addressing the fentanyl epidemic or juvenile crime. Their responsibilities will mainly revolve around scene security, traffic control, aiding in prisoner transport, and other non-arrest related duties. Grisham’s office stated that this deployment will help to alleviate the strain on resources within the Albuquerque Police Department.
New Mexico Republican Party Executive Director Leticia Muñoz told Fox News Digital that the National Guard deployment doesn’t come close to addressing the issue at hand. She said more substantive measures such as bail reform and harsher penalties are needed.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/File)
Police also arrested two other minors, aged 11 and 15, who were inside the car with the 13-year-old at the time when Habermehl was hit.
They’re all being charged with first-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 19.
The 13-year-old who was allegedly driving the car was also the suspect in a series of burglaries in June 2024.
Juvenile crime isn’t the only issue prompting the National Guard to be deployed to Albuquerque. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen told KOB4 that since establishing Operation Route 66 seven weeks ago, around 2,700 fentanyl pills have been taken off the streets and almost 400 arrests have been made.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan/File | Sam Wasson/Getty Images/File)
“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,” Allen said.
Allen said Operation Route 66 is one of the reasons that Grisham is sending the National Guard.
The New Mexico Department of Health in January said fentanyl was involved in 65% of overdose deaths in the state in 2023, which is the most recent year for which data has been compiled.
Fox News Digital reached out to the National Guard, Albuquerque Police Department and Grisham’s office for comment.
