The National Guard Is Deploying In Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The National Guard is deploying in Albuquerque, aiming to help tackle the city's crime problem by freeing up more police officers. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared an emergency through an Executive Order in April, after receiving a letter from Albuquerque's Police Chief, who requested additional resources to combat what he described as a crime problem that 'continues to be an emergency' in the city.
APD says integrating Guardsmen and women will allow officers to be more present in high-crime areas, particularly along Central Avenue. But how will this work? What will the National Guard be doing or not doing?
Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General overseeing New Mexico's National Guard, joins Chris and Gabby to explain everything you need to know.
'We're not a threat to anyone's civil liberties. We're New Mexicans,' explained Maj. Gen. Aguilar. 'I even checked how many people are like traditional New Mexicans on this mission – the vast majority. And we've always been the type of people who want to help a problem, and this is the opportunity we've been afforded,' he added.
Listen to the full discussion above to hear what the National Guard will be focused on locally over the next several months. Maj. Gen. Augilar said that in talking with officers, they agree that a longer-term operation is needed to measure any real change.
'Thirty-day operations are effective in making arrests, garnering stats, and having temporary change, but it's gotta be longer-term,' said Maj. Gen. Aguilar. '[So] that we can't get waited out.'
Stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others.
You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQE's YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13.
Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term 'KRQE' or 'New Mexico News Insiders' (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post.
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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