Mayor Eric Enriquez, City of Las Cruces | City of Las Cruces
Operation Not in Vain, a months-long crime reduction project in memory of fallen Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez, has generated 77 felony arrests, 50 misdemeanor arrests, and more than 320 traffic citations in its first month of operation.
“Although we have many challenges to tackle, the first month of Operation Not in Vain has given me a lot of hope that we are becoming a safer city together," said LCPD Chief Jeremy Story. “The collaboration between law enforcement agencies, businesses and citizens has been incredibly encouraging and rewarding.”
The operation, which began on August 5 and is anticipated to run through November 2024, is utilizing law enforcement personnel from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and representatives from the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
First-month statistics from August 5-31 include:
- 4 DWI arrests
- 9 Firearms seized/recovered
- 10 Separate narcotics seizures
- 12 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered
- 13 Warrants (search/arrest) completed
- 38 Criminal citations issued
- 50 Arrests (misdemeanor)
- 60 Field interviews
- 70 Trespass warnings
- 77 Arrests (felony)
- 124 Reports taken
- 322 Traffic citations
“This is the quintessential example of the impact law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels can have when they work together,” said David O. Barnett Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with the Las Cruces Police Department and how our combined efforts positively impact our community’s safety.”
Law enforcement personnel seized nearly 2,000 fentanyl pills and more than 53 pounds of methamphetamine in the first month of the operation.
“Due to this operation and our partnership with Las Cruces PD, dangerous synthetic drugs that are killing New Mexicans have been removed from Las Cruces,” said Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “With this type of collaboration with our local law enforcement partners, the men and women of the DEA are making our communities safer and healthier.”
The operation also recorded 270 consensual contacts with members of the community and held 144 meetings with local businesses during its first month.
“Homeland Security Investigations is proud to work alongside our federal, state and local agency partners as part of Operation Not in Vain to help combat gang activity and violent crime in southern New Mexico,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of HSI El Paso. “These partnerships are essential for tackling complex, multi-jurisdictional crimes and ensuring public safety.”
“We honor Officer Hernandez by continuing his work of serving and protecting the citizens of Las Cruces,” said Troy Weisler, Chief of New Mexico State Police. “His sacrifice was not in vain, and we are dedicated to creating a safer community for all residents.”
LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez was killed in the line of duty on February 11, after responding to a trespassing call at a vacant building on South Valley Drive. The men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department have committed to ensuring that Hernandez’s service to the community is remembered.
Hernandez was from El Paso, Texas, and served two years with the Las Cruces Police Department.
Operation Not in Vain targets violent and property crimes, persons with outstanding warrants, repeat offenders, traffic enforcement activities, and quality-of-life crimes. The project also includes an engagement aspect where law enforcement personnel reach out to Las Cruces residents and local businesses.
