New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the deployment of 60-70 National Guard personnel to Albuquerque by mid-May to address rising juvenile crime and fentanyl issues, although their role will not include direct law enforcement actions. The state’s GOP criticized this measure as insufficient, calling for more substantial reforms like bail reform and increased penalties, while expressing concerns over perceived leniency towards juvenile offenders. Recent data indicated a significant uptick in juvenile arrests, and local law enforcement efforts have led to substantial fentanyl seizures and arrests in the area.
