The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico has voiced its disapproval of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's recent decision to deploy National Guard personnel to assist the Albuquerque Police Department. The initiative, aimed at tackling public safety challenges arising from the fentanyl crisis and violent juvenile crime, has sparked concern from the ACLU regarding potential civil rights violations.
Daniel Williams, a policy advocate for the ACLU of New Mexico, issued a statement emphasizing the importance of safety at home, work, and in the community. He expressed that Governor Lujan Grisham's decision represents a forceful approach rather than a solution-oriented one. Williams noted that New Mexico already faces one of the highest rates of police-related fatalities per capita in the United States, and he cited historical evidence suggesting that military collaboration with local law enforcement often heightens civil rights issues, such as racial profiling and the criminalization of disadvantaged communities.
Williams added that the governor's previous policies have focused too heavily on punitive measures against unhoused individuals. He urged for measures that truly address the root causes of crime and community safety. "In a state so heavily impacted by police violence, the answer to safety cannot and will not be found in increased police presence, especially not through collaboration with the military," he stated.
The ACLU advocates for a shift in focus towards supporting communities with adequate services like housing, healthcare, and economic security, which they believe will lead to a safer society as a whole. The organization calls on state leadership to prioritize resources towards these areas and away from strategies that may exacerbate issues like mass incarceration.
