New Mexico is facing another state of emergency, this time in response to a rise in violent crime rather than a natural disaster. On Wednesday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a executive order requesting federal assistance to support “overwhelmed local resources,” in Rio Arriba County, the city of Española and areas of Pueblos, according to her office.
Española, located along the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico, is one of the state’s oldest towns, with a mix of Native American and Spanish cultural influences. The city and surrounding areas have long faced economic challenges, including high unemployment and limited access to social services.
Rising crime has intensified challenges for local communities, fueling homelessness, family disruption and deadly drug overdoses, according to New Mexico officials.
State of emergency declared
“We are making every resource available to support our local partners on the ground and restore public safety and stability to these areas that have been hardest hit by this crisis,” Lujan Grishman said.
In a statement announcing the declaration, the governor’s office said police in Española and surrounding areas have seen calls more than double over the past two years, including a fourfold increase in dispatches to local businesses.
Rio Arriba leads in overdose deaths
Rio Arriba County now leads New Mexico in overdose deaths, as officials report ongoing struggles with fentanyl and other illegal drugs among residents.
While New Mexico saw a decline in drug overdose deaths for the second year in a row, Rio Arriba County remains a hotspot. Statewide, overdose fatalities fell 8% since 2021, dropping from a peak of 1,029 deaths to 948 in 2023, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
Fentanyl was involved in 65% of overdose deaths in 2024, and methamphetamine played a role in 51% of cases. Most deaths, 84%, occurred among residents aged 25 to 64, with the 35 to 44 age group accounting for 26%.
Rio Arriba was one of several counties with both a high number of overdose deaths and rates above the statewide average of 46.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, alongside Bernalillo, Santa Fe and San Miguel.
Funding and federal support
With Lujan Grisham’s signature, New Mexico can use up to $750,000 to support the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in bringing federal resources to the hardest-hit areas. The order will remain in effect until the funds are spent or the services are no longer needed.
The Republican Party of New Mexico praised the governor’s decision, saying communities need additional support to address rising crime and pointing to what they describe as shortcomings in previous state policies.
“While I hope the deployment of the National Guard will provide real assistance, the people of Española deserve more than just street counselors-they deserve action that addresses the root of the problem,” said Amy Barela, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico.
The order does not specify if or when the National Guard will be deployed. In June, Lujan Grisham authorized guardsmen in plain clothes to assist in Albuquerque, an area officials described as a “war zone” with high levels of criminal activity.
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Author: Alex Delia
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