Commentary: Michelle Lujan Grisham and Howie Morales released their three-part plan to combat crime and create a safer New Mexico: “Tougher, Safer, Smarter. Lujan Grisham was joined by current and former public safety officials including Attorney General Hector Balderas, police chiefs, and prosecutors to announce the comprehensive plan which will employ tougher, smarter, and safer strategies to stop crime and build communities that are safe from fear of theft and violence. Michelle Lujan Grisham also announced a group of 50 current and former law enforcement officials who trust Michelle Lujan to be our next governor and keep our communities safe.
“Every New Mexican has the right to feel safe in their community, but right now that just isn’t the case for too many across our state, harming our children, holding families down in poverty, and hampering efforts to build a stronger economy and better schools,” said Michelle Lujan Grisham. “That’s why I’m announcing a first of it’s kind, truly statewide plan that leverages our assets and mobilizes resources, using the best tools available to crack down on violent crime, implementing smart strategies to prevent future crimes, and creating safer schools, homes, and neighborhoods across New Mexico.”
“We cannot grow our economy or improve schools if our children and families aren’t safe. I’m proud to stand behind this comprehensive plan to make New Mexico a better, safer place for our children and families while providing our law enforcement the resources they need to target crime effectively,” said Howie Morales. “Michelle and I are committed to fostering stronger families and communities in southern New Mexico, and in every corner of the state, and this begins with public safety.
Attorney General Hector Balderas said, “This election is about saving lives, and I know Michelle and Howie will invest in law enforcement, education, and mental health services for New Mexico families.”
Officer Jeremy Romero, who was paralyzed from the waist down in 2014 during an on-duty crash, said “Michelle Lujan Grisham has been a champion for law enforcement, not only for New Mexico but on a national scale. Michelle can put the team together to make everything work as one. With the crime plan Michelle has, we can move New Mexico forward for the better.”
“As a police chief who has served in law enforcement for over 40 years, I know Michelle Lujan Grisham is the right choice to help keep our communities safe,” said Bernalillo Police chief Tom Romero. "I need Michelle as governor, because law enforcement and community members need a partner who will listen to them about the challenges we are facing and has a vision for how we move forward.”
Michelle and Howie’s “Tougher, Smarter, Safer” plan focuses on the following three areas, and you can view the full plan here:
1. Use Tougher Enforcement and Focus on the Biggest Threats: Hardened and Violent Criminals and Repeat Offenders
Focus on the repeat and violent offenders who pose the greatest threat to our communities. We must focus our enforcement resources on violent criminals, domestic abusers, repeat DWI offenders, and auto thiefs. By building partnerships across all levels of law enforcement, ensuring that the most dangerous criminals are kept in jail, and implementing stronger training on human trafficking statewide we will crack down on the worst of the worst.
Recruit and retain the police officers our communities need. Michelle’s plan will give officers a raise, assess staffing needs, and implement proven recruitment and retention incentives, and aggressively pursue federal grants.
Invest in proven technology and data to keep communities safe. From license plate readers, street cameras, and gunshot detection systems, we will equip law enforcement with tools to prevent and solve crimes while using hard data to analyze patterns and stop crimes.
2. Use smarter investment strategies to stop crimes
Respond effectively to low-risk criminals. By providing sentencing discretion and alternatives, investing in drug courts and diversion, and expanding opportunities for medical and geriatric parole we can lower costs and focus our resources on the most important problems.
Invest in effective crime prevention. By reducing recidivism through treatment and counseling programs while providing continuity upon re-entry, and preventing crimes with strong community policing programs, we can create safer neighborhoods with less crime.
Promote collaboration at all levels of law enforcement. With a statewide anti-crime task force and crime intelligence center, we can better share important resources and critical data.
3. Safer homes, safe schools, and safe communities across New Mexico:
No New Mexican should feel unsafe at home. We must reform and revamp CYFD, retaining skilled social workers and reducing the debilitating vacancy rate while building safer families with proven programs. Further, comprehensive interagency programs, effective monitoring, and smarter gun laws are necessary to stop domestic violence in New Mexico homes.
Create safer schools. With smart investments in security, common sense gun laws, bullying prevention, and community school models.
Build safe communities. With neighborhood-based policing programs, substance abuse prevention in every community, and real changes in our economy we can strengthen New Mexico communities and make them secure for every family
Additionally, New Mexicans for Michelle announced the names of 50 current and former law enforcement officials who trust Michelle Lujan to be our next governor and keep our communities safe. They include chiefs of police, sheriffs, prosecutors, and local law enforcement from across New Mexico.
Hector Balderas, Attorney General
Senator Tom Udall, Former Attorney General
Paul Bardacke, Former Attorney General
David Norvell, Former Attorney General
Gary King, Former Attorney General
Patsy Madrid, Former Attorney General
Donald Gallegos, 8th Judicial District Attorney
Richard Flores, 4th Judicial District Attorney
Marco Serna, 1st Judicial District Attorney.
Raul Torrez, 2nd Judicial District Attorney
Elva Harvey, DeBaca County Sheriff
Greg Laumbach, Mora County Sheriff
Raul Villanueva, Grant County Sheriff
Ronald Silversmith, McKinley County Sheriff
Kelly Gannaway, Luna County Sheriff
Manny Gonzalez, Bernalillo County Sheriff
Robert Garcia, Santa Fe County Sheriff
Dan Najar, Former San Miguel County Sheriff
Bobby Chavez, Former Torrance County Sheriff
Herman Martinez, Former Harding County Sheriff
Adan Mendoza, Santa Fe County Sheriff-Elect
Darren White, Former Bernalillo County Sheriff
Robert Shilling, Former State Police Chief
Chris Lopez, Las Vegas Police Chief & San Miguel County Sheriff-Elect
Louis Carlos, Española Police Chief
Tom Romero, Bernalillo Police Chief
John Garcia, Raton Chief of Police
Alfredo Turrieta, Mountainair Police Chief
Mae Jackson, Taytum Police Chief
Javier Guerra, Sunland Park Police Chief
Aric Wheeler, Former Santa Fe Police Chief
Juan Montaño, Former Las Vegas Police Chief
Bobby Chavez, Former Sheriff Torrance County
Kenneth Stalter, Former General Counsel & Assistant Attorney General
Celedonia Munoz, Former Assistant Attorney General
Marlo Aragon, Former Assistant Attorney General
John Sweda, Former CIA Officer
Jeremy Romero, Retired Corrales Police Officer
Ron Madrid, Santa Fe County Undersheriff
Eric Padilla, Las Vegas Police Commander
Manuel Romero, Española Police Detective
Kevin Lucero, Bernalillo County Deputy Sheriff
Jeff Ray, New Mexico Law Enforcement
Wayne Harvey, New Mexico Law Enforcement
Jacob Romero, New Mexico Law Enforcement
Frances Flores, Tribal Law Enforcement
Tirzio Lopez, Public Regulations Commissioner Investigator
Wayne Alcon, Retired State Police Senior Officer
T.C Garley, Retired State Police Lieutenant
Jonathan Salazar, Retired State Police Captain
* Titles and affiliations are provided for identification purposes only. Any views expressed are solely those of the individuals in their private capacities, and do not reflect the views of their respective employers, agencies, or organizations.