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(NewsNation) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tells NewsNation that deploying the National Guard to combat transgression successful Albuquerque has led to melodramatic results, with felony arrests up 22% and misdemeanor arrests expanding 30%.
The Democratic governor, who declared a public information exigency successful April and deployed respective twelve National Guard troops to Albuquerque's Route 66 corridor, defended her determination arsenic indispensable to guarantee residents consciousness harmless successful their communities.
"I'm not looking for a reputation. I'm looking to lick a occupation until each New Mexican meets their law close ... to consciousness harmless successful their religion and location and market store," Grisham told NewsNation.
"Democrats ought to thin successful to marque definite that everyone successful their states and communities feels and is safe," she said.
The governor's comments travel arsenic President Donald Trump faces controversy implicit deploying the National Guard to Washington D.C. and Memphis, and threatening akin enactment successful Chicago.
Grisham's deployment successful New Mexico's largest metropolis has received small nationalist attraction compared to Trump's national interventions.
Grisham signed an enforcement bid successful April clearing the mode for 60 to 70 troops to beryllium deployed, with grooming already underway by mid-May. The bid besides freed up authorities funds for the National Guard operation.
Unlike nonstop instrumentality enforcement roles, the National Guard troops successful Albuquerque bash not prosecute with the nationalist but grip enactment duties that typically drain constabulary officers' time, specified arsenic directing traffic, securing transgression scenes, transporting prisoners and providing courthouse security.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina called the National Guard enactment "crucial" successful giving officers much clip for thoroughfare patrols. Mayor Tim Keller said astir each class of transgression has decreased since the opening of the year.
Grisham criticizes national intervention, wants much national agents instead
While supporting governors deploying their ain state's National Guard, Grisham criticized national involution strategies, saying she agrees with the bulk of Democratic governors that specified approaches are "not strategic" and "not helpful."
However, she besides noted that the president could beryllium adjuvant by providing "some much FBI agents and however astir immoderate much DEA officers oregon ATF — these are each the national folks — U.S. marshals. How astir immoderate much prosecutors?" she said.
Governors typically deploy the National Guard for earthy disasters, borderline information or, arsenic seen successful New York past year, metro strategy patrols pursuing high-profile crimes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
