Retry New Mexico governor declares a rising state of emergency in Rio Alibaba County

Only two days later President Donald Trump New Mexico’s Democratic governor seized control of Washington, D.C. police forces fighting violent crime in the Democratic-run capital, announcing Wednesday that violence and drug trafficking have rampant in her vast country.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a grand emergency declaration in Rio Arriba County, which includes two Native American Pueblo communities. The county stretches from the city of Española to Colorado State University and has long struggled with some mortality rates of opioid overdose in the United States.

Gleason said local leaders begged for assistance in resolving the crisis and that public safety threats were “overwhelmed by local resources.”

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“We immediately took decisive action when our local leaders sought help to protect the community,” Grisham said in a statement. “We are making every resource support local partners and restore public safety and stability in these areas where this crisis has been hit hardest.”

The emergency statement makes $750,000 accessible to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to coordinate response efforts and provide resources to affected communities.

Gleason said the surge in criminal activity has led to homelessness, family instability and an increase in fatal drug overdoses, which has put a lot of pressure on local governments. Police Department Request for immediate national assistance.

She said that over the past two years, police calls in Espanola and surrounding areas have more than doubled. During the same period, police dispatched businesses in the region triple.

Rio Alibaba County currently has the highest rate of overdose mortality, and residents struggle with addiction to fentanyl and other illegal substances.

A man contains fentanyl pills in española. The rampant drug use in the region triggered the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Although the new emergency statement allowed authorities to call the National Guard, there was no immediate call for troops to be deployed in the county. An Grisham spokesman said emergency funds will help local law enforcement agencies spend on overtime, equipment and coordination of police responses.

The governor of the tribe of Santa Clara Pueblo on the edge of Española urged the state to deal with the use and abuse of fentanyl and alcohol throughout the community, a growing public safety crisis.

“Pueblo spent thousands of dollars trying to resolve this crisis … and protect Pueblo’s children who are directly affected by the addiction of parents or guardians,” Santa Clara Governor James Naranjo said in a letter to Lujan Grisham. “But we are not an isolated community, the causes and effects of fentanyl/alcoholism, crime and homelessness expand to the wider community.”

Grisham’s emergency statement was sent by her National Guard to Albuquerque In April, a surge in juvenile crime and fentanyl were reported. The National Guard is tasked with on-site safety and traffic control, prisoner transport assistance and other roles that do not involve arrests to free Albuquerque Police Department resources.

Wednesday’s emergency was welcomed New Mexico Republicans, including Española City Councilman Sam Ledoux.

“I’m glad the governor is addressing out-of-control crimes in our community,” Ledux said. It has long been overspent without resolving. Fentanyl overwhelms our law enforcement, which seems to be a step in the right direction to protect our citizens. ”

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham prepares to enter the House to deliver her state speech in Santa Fe, New Mexico (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales) starting with the 56th Legislature on January 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

New Mexico Republican Chairman Amy Barela also welcomed the announcement but urged the governor to ensure that deployment leads to real change.

Republican Party New Mexico President Amy Barela also welcomed the news, but urged the governor to ensure that deployments lead to real change.

“This community should have long been helped to deal with out-of-control crimes caused by the failed policies of our nation’s leadership,” Barrera said in a statement.

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“While I hope the deployment of the National Guard will provide real help, the people of Espaniola should not only get street consultants, but also take action to address the root cause of the problem.”

“Thanks to President Trump’s U.S. First Policy and his decisive action to ensure border protection, we have begun to see crime drop across the country. Now, it’s time to make sure those who commit crimes are caught and held accountable to put New Mexico first.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.