New Mexico deploys National Guard to Albuquerque as juvenile crime and fentanyl crisis overwhelm local law enforcement, but critics question if this approach will be enough to solve deep-rooted problems.
Quick Takes
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered 60-70 National Guard troops to Albuquerque to address juvenile crime and fentanyl crisis.
- Guard members will be unarmed, in civilian clothes, handling support tasks like traffic control to free up police resources.
- Republicans criticize the move as insufficient, calling for bail reform and tougher penalties.
- Albuquerque police have arrested or cited 2,600 minors aged 11-17 over the past five years.
- Fentanyl was involved in 65% of overdose deaths in New Mexico in 2023.
National Guard Steps In As Crime Concerns Mount
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham took decisive action last week when she signed an executive order deploying National Guard personnel to Albuquerque. Approximately 60-70 Guard members will arrive by mid-May to assist local law enforcement in addressing what the governor described as “critical issues requiring immediate intervention.” The deployment comes in response to alarming trends in juvenile crime and the devastating impact of the fentanyl epidemic that has gripped the city. Rather than engaging in direct enforcement, the Guard will handle auxiliary roles including scene security, traffic control, and prisoner transport.
The Guard members will be unarmed and dressed in civilian clothing to minimize community disruption. This approach allows them to support the police department without militarizing the city’s streets. Mayor Tim Keller expressed optimism about the additional assistance, noting, “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.”
If crime in ABQ is down, then why do we need the National Guard to assist APD with handling crime?#nmpol #kellerkrime @NicoleforNM @MayorKeller pic.twitter.com/oCHjddA6G5
— New Mexico Senate Republicans (@NMSenate_GOP) April 9, 2025
Rising Juvenile Crime and Fentanyl Crisis
Albuquerque has been grappling with sobering statistics regarding juvenile crime. Between 2019 and 2024, the Albuquerque Police Department arrested or cited approximately 2,600 minors aged 11 to 17. A particularly troubling case involved a 13-year-old boy recently charged with first-degree murder following a fatal car accident. Authorities have linked the same youth to a series of burglaries across the city, highlighting the growing severity of crimes committed by juveniles. Law enforcement officials report that many young offenders are also involved in drug-related activities, creating a dangerous intersection of juvenile crime and drug abuse.
The fentanyl epidemic has reached crisis proportions in New Mexico, with the synthetic opioid involved in 65% of all overdose deaths in the state during 2023. Operation Route 66, a recent law enforcement initiative, has resulted in the seizure of 2,700 fentanyl pills and nearly 400 arrests. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen reports that these efforts are making a significant impact, though the problem remains pervasive. A problematic 2-mile stretch on Central Avenue has become notorious for homelessness and open drug use, creating ongoing safety concerns for residents and businesses.
Community Response and Criticism
The deployment has received mixed reactions from community members and political leaders. Will Stephens, a retired chef who lives near Central Avenue, supports the National Guard’s arrival after witnessing drug use and loitering near his home. “Every day, I have to deal with it. I ignore them. That’s the best way to deal with it. It’s not worth getting caught up in stupidness,” Stephens told reporters. Other residents question whether the National Guard is necessary, pointing to recent improvements in crime statistics and expressing concerns about potential over-policing.
Republican leaders have criticized the National Guard deployment as insufficient to address the root causes of crime in Albuquerque. Leticia Muñoz, Executive Director of the New Mexico Republican Party, argues that without legislative reforms, particularly regarding bail and sentencing, the situation will not improve. Muñoz has also taken aim at a proposed pilot program that would offer housing assistance to juvenile suspects after detention, characterizing it as “coddling” offenders. Meanwhile, the ACLU of New Mexico has raised concerns about potential civil rights violations associated with increased law enforcement presence in the city.
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National Guard to help Albuquerque fight crime, but some wonder if it’s necessary
