New Mexico governor mobilizes National Guard to tackle crime emergency in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in New Mexico’s largest city, saying that a significant increase in crime in Albuquerque warrants the help of the New Mexico National Guard.

She signed an executive order, clearing the way for several dozen troops to be deployed along the historic Route 66 corridor starting in mid-May. The order also frees up state funds for the National Guard to use as part of the effort.

Training for 60 to 70 troops already is underway, the governor's office said.

Governors typically call up the National Guard to help with natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes. Governors in recent years also have ordered troops to address illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. In New York last year, the National Guard helped patrol the subway system following a series of high-profile crimes.

In New Mexico, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina called it a crucial time for the National Guard to provide support that gives police officers more time to patrol the streets for crime.

Medina and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller pointed to a large chart during a news conference, saying nearly every category of crime has come down since the beginning of the year because of the work already being done by the police force.

The National Guard will not be engaging with the public, they said, but rather taking on duties that drain the time of sworn officers, like directing traffic. The troops can help secure crime scenes, distribute food and supplies to the homeless population throughout the corridor, transport prisoners, provide courthouse security and run drone operations used for locating suspects or assessing incidents, officials said.

Watchdog groups have concerns that militarizing civilian law enforcement will lead to civil rights violations.

Daniel Williams, policy advocate at the ACLU of New Mexico, called the governor’s action a show of force, not a solution.

“New Mexico already has one of the highest per capita rates of people killed by police in the nation,” Williams said. “History has shown that military collaboration with local law enforcement often leads to increased civil rights violations, racial profiling, and criminalization of vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness and poverty.”

It’s not the first time Lujan Grisham has tried to leverage state resources to address high crime rates in Albuquerque. In 2021, the two-term Democrat temporarily assigned state police officers to the area to help local authorities tackle vehicle thefts, drug trafficking, aggressive driving and the apprehension of violent criminals with felony warrants.

The year before, then-President Donald Trump sent federal agents, including Homeland Security officers, to Albuquerque as part of an effort to contain violent crime. He also targeted Chicago and other U.S. cities with the surge in resources.

Lujan Grisham's latest emergency declaration follows a March 31 request by Albuquerque's police chief, who pointed to the fentanyl epidemic and an increase in violent juvenile crime. Medina wrote that progress has been made in reducing shootings and aggravated assaults along what is known as Central Avenue but that more resources are needed.

The New Mexico Legislature adjourned last month, drawing much criticism from law enforcement leaders, prosecutors and even the governor for failing to adequately bolster public safety in Albuquerque and other New Mexico communities.

Statistics released by the Albuquerque police department in February showed an 11% decrease in aggravated assaults in 2024 compared to the prior year, while homicides decreased for a second straight year.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina listens to mayor Tim Keller speak at a press conference addressing the National Guard being deployed in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jessica Baca/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

Mayor Tim Keller speaks at a press conference addressing the National Guard being deployed to help Albuquerque police in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jessica Baca/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina speaks at a press conference addressing the National Guard being deployed to help the Albuquerque police in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jessica Baca/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

FILE - The Albuquerque Police Department headquarters is viewed Feb. 2, 2024, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File)

FILE - Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina answers questions about an ongoing investigation in Albuquerque, N.M., Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File)

Signage is posted outside police headquarters Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in downtown Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — People have gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican to mourn Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope who charmed believers with his humble style.

Francis died Monday after making a final, poignant public appearance on Easter Sunday. He blessed the crowd of faithful from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in an appearance about a month after his lengthy hospitalization for pneumonia.

Tributes to Francis were shared from around the world, and cardinals were meeting Tuesday at the Vatican to plan his funeral and the conclave to elect his successor.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

A woman holds a picture of Pope Francis reading in Italian "Farewell Francis, thank you His Holiness, today all the people cry for you" in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinals, right, arrive for a meeting of cardinals, at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinal Silvano Tomasi arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

A cardboard cutout of the late Pope Francis is placed next to candles and flowers outside St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Pilgrims carrying a cross make their way to the Holy Door in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Faithful participate in a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pilgrims carrying a cross make their way to the Holy Door in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025 (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, right, walks away after leading a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Copies of the Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano are distributed after a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Nuns walk to Vatican City, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Pilgrims from Croatia arrive at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A woman attends a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)