ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is criticizing Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller after the New Mexico National Guard ended its deployment. Six months ago, the state dispatched dozens of National Guard members to assist Albuquerque police in support roles, like securing crime scenes and working in the Real Time Crime Center. The mission was intended to free up officers so they could focus on crime. Last week, outgoing Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina said the extra hands led to 150 more arrests a week.
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But in a statement, a governor’s spokesperson said:
The Governor appreciates members of the National Guard who answered the call to assist the Albuquerque Police Department, but she is disappointed that the mission did not achieve a sustained decrease in crime. This is partially due to lax engagement by local partners and also because New Mexico’s criminal justice system too often allows serious offenders back on the streets within days or even hours of an arrest…