Guard To Assist Police As Juvenile Crime Rises

The New Mexico National Guard is set to deploy to Albuquerque over Memorial Day weekend to support police efforts in combating rising juvenile crime and the fentanyl epidemic, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The deployment comes after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in New Mexico’s largest city, authorizing 60-70 National Guard members to assist with non-enforcement duties.

Support Role, Not Enforcement

“There is no intention of a military presence in Albuquerque,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina emphasized during a press conference, clarifying the Guard’s support role, according to KOB4.

The deployment, dubbed “Operation Zia Shield,” will see National Guard members assisting with scene security, traffic control, drone operations, and emergency medical aid, allowing sworn police officers to focus on direct enforcement activities.

Community Connection

Major General Miguel Aguilar, Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard, stressed the community ties of those being deployed, noting that 53 of the 71 volunteer guardsmen live in the Albuquerque metro area.

“In every elementary school and in every middle school in Albuquerque, there is a child of a guardsman who goes there,” Aguilar stated, as reported by KOAT Action News.

Juvenile Crime Concerns

The emergency declaration cited juvenile crime as a key concern, with police records showing ten teenagers arrested on homicide charges last year. In one notable case, a 13-year-old was arrested in March for allegedly driving a stolen car that struck and killed a 63-year-old bicyclist.

New Mexico also has the sixth-highest drug overdose rate in the country, with overdose deaths increasing 68% between 2019 and 2021, according to NBC News.

Mixed Community Response

While some residents welcome the additional resources, civil liberties advocates have expressed concerns about the potential for increased civil rights violations and profiling of vulnerable populations.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has warned that military collaboration with local law enforcement often leads to increased civil rights violations, particularly for those experiencing homelessness and poverty.