Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a public safety emergency in Española and surrounding communities, citing a sharp rise in crime and drug overdose deaths. The executive order authorizes $750,000 in emergency funding and makes state resources — including the National Guard, if needed — available to assist local, county, and Pueblo law enforcement.
According to the order, police calls in the Española area have doubled in two years, and dispatches to businesses have quadrupled. Rio Arriba County has one of the state’s highest overdose death rates, with 49 overdoses already reported this year.
Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia said the city is struggling to retain officers, losing many to higher-paying agencies. The funding could support overtime, equipment, and coordinated operations with Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office and tribal police.
The governor issued a similar order in April for Albuquerque, where the National Guard remains deployed for non-law enforcement duties. While there’s no immediate plan to send Guard members to Española, the authorization is in place if local needs escalate.
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