ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in northern New Mexico, citing a sharp rise in crime, the state’s highest overdose death rate, and increased homelessness in Rio Arriba County. This week, Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia joins Chris and Gabby on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast to explain why he’s asking for help from the National Guard, and the unique challenges his community faces.
Chief Garcia shares what role the Guard could play, staffing struggles within his department, and how local law enforcement is tackling the region’s drug crisis. “I am authorized 30 officers,” explained Chief Garcia. “Unfortunately, the jurisdictional quagmire I mentioned – we are not the highest paying department in that area.”
Garcia added, “Constantly, I’m losing officers to other agencies. But I am constantly recruiting, nonstop. In our city, 80 percent of my officers do not live in the City of Española. They live as far away as Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Santa Fe.” The chief is hopeful the National Guard will help him fill in some of the gaps.
Why are overdose deaths so prevalent in this area? How will Española use $750,000 in emergency funds? Listen to the full discussion above for an inside look at what’s really happening in northern New Mexico.
Get the inside scoop and subscribe 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.
