New Mexico Governor Pushes Tough-On-Crime Laws As Violence Surges in The State

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is challenging her Democratic allies as she intensifies efforts to combat the state's persistent crime and addiction crises. Facing criticism from both within and outside her party, the governor has advocated for measures that would compel mentally ill and drug-addicted individuals to receive treatment, a move she believes is necessary to address New Mexico's alarming rates of violence and homelessness.

The fallout from fentanyl and methamphetamine use continues to plague communities, including Albuquerque, where homelessness and addiction are visible in neighborhoods like the International District. "We must confront the hard truth: mentally ill or drug-addicted people living on the streets cannot be allowed to live that way indefinitely," Lujan Grisham said during a public meeting.

While crime has been declining across the U.S. and fatal overdoses are on the decrease, New Mexico's violent crime rate in 2023 was double the national average, according to the Council of State Governments Justice Center. The state also leads the nation in unsolved violent crimes.

The issue hit close to home for Lujan Grisham when her daughter-in-law was attacked this summer by a man with a long criminal history, leaving her hospitalized with severe head injuries. The governor has since described such incidents as emblematic of systemic problems.

Lujan Grisham's proposed solutions include stricter laws on committing mentally ill individuals to treatment and closing legal gaps that allow defendants in serious crimes to avoid trial by being deemed incompetent, as reported by The New York Times.

However, her proposals have at times deepened divisions within her own party: critics argue the state lacks the mental health resources to implement these measures effectively. Some Democratic allies accuse the governor of using stark descriptions of people living on the streets, mirroring Republican rhetoric on migrants.

Johana Bencomo, a progressive Democrat and Las Cruces city councilor, warned the proposals could lead to more vulnerable people being jailed. "We are going back to policies we know do not work," she said.

In Las Cruces, the murder of police officer Jonah Hernandez earlier this year underscored the stakes. Officer Hernandez was fatally stabbed by a man with a history of schizophrenia and drug use. Police Chief Jeremy Story has since joined the governor in advocating for laws addressing mental competency issues.

The City of Las Cruces has already taken steps, including an ordinance allowing authorities to redirect individuals caught stealing shopping carts into mental health or substance abuse programs instead of jail.

Lujan Grisham is pushing state lawmakers to adopt similar approaches. "We are like the last place in America to say this is an unacceptable environment," she said, emphasizing the need for urgent action.

Despite resistance, the governor continues to travel across the state, seeking public support for her initiatives, framing them as essential to reversing the cycle of crime and addiction.