On Thursday, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called for a special session to tackle the issue of crime and homelessness, which she referred to as a “dangerous crossroads” during her announcement to the press. Speaking about at risk groups within the society who are open to drug and human trafficking. mental health services Stay on the streets.
The governor highlighted numerous cases have been set aside in recent times due to incompetence issues- most of these were related with felonious violence.
“This should be a terrifying place for anybody,” warned Lujan Grisham, reminding legislators who might not care to solve it in time, “This is unacceptable. We cannot condone dangerous behavior.”
Involuntary detention and treatment for mental health problems and addiction, minimum sentences extension for felons carrying guns, panhandling restrictions are some of the proposals that 2-time democrat governor has urged lawmakers to consider.
Some prominent lawmakers argue that there may be unintended consequences of these measures. Homeless people and civil rights activists fear violation of their constitutional rights.
Here’s what we know about this special meeting:
Violent crime rates Albuquerque The violent crime rate in the U.S., including all types of violent crimes, dropped sharply during the first three months of 2024 when compared with similar period last year according to FBI data whereby this trend has persisted since COVID-19 surged.
However, that is not true for the Albuquerque metropolitan area where approximately one third of New Mexicans live. While its violent crime rate continues being stable at roughly three times higher than national figures. There were more criminal incidents involving teenagers and firearms last year while homeless settlement developed on sidewalks as well as along riverfront parks.
800 encampments in June alone were cleared by Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s office leading to expenditure on housing vouchers amounting close $1 million each month but he insists that is inadequate.
This came after Lujan Grisham said streets remained dangerous even after lawmakers passed a few limited public safety reforms in February allowing judges to deny pretrial bail in some life-threatening incidences and elongating the waiting period for buying a gun to seven days.
The Albuquerque area’s emergency public health order on gun violence and illegal drug use, which started in September 2023, was extended by the governor this week.
Involuntary Commitment In what appears as an increasing awareness of crime and homelessness, California and Tennessee among others are adopting more proactive approaches towards untreated mental illness and addiction.
Lujan Grisham wishes that legislatures need not take forever to get someone into involuntary treatment. Additionally, she is looking for more judicial or prosecutorial discretion to hold or consider defendants who may lack mental faculties in the criminal justice system.
It’s time to intervene differently when courts find accused individuals mentally unfit, according to Ben Baker, the governor’s senior public safety adviser.
“Once incompetence is determined…they go free and then they come back doing very similar crimes, ad infinitum,” he told the Santa Fe New Mexico News podcast.
this According to him of course American Civil Liberties Union together with other activist groups were concerned that it will be easier for Governor Lujan Grisham’s administration simply lock up certain people within a secured mental health facility against their will without any issue at stake.
Other measures: Gun crime and panhandling The agenda also covers such matters as: punishment of convicted criminals who carry firearms while committing another offense; minimum jail term of nine years which could be reduced through good conduct.
Another move to address a growing number of beggars in the city would involve making it illegal for one to cross on narrow medians within high-speed traffic lanes.
The supporters argue that the panhandlers can still demonstrate their right to free speech and ask money on sidewalks and other places. The restriction will be applicable to mediums not more than 3 feet (1 meter) wide on roads having speed limits of 30 mph (45 km/h).
Also, according to this proposal, state agencies should gather and analyze monthly information from local law enforcement agencies regarding crimes and guns linked with them.
Additionally Over the past three years, lawmakers have provided over $800 million dollars targeting crime including underlying mental health issues, but the patience is wearing thin.
House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, told reporters during a news conference Monday that he thought what governor had done was ignorant and might prove counterproductive.
“These proposals could cause significant harm to some New Mexico, particularly our most vulnerable citizens,” he said.
Lawmakers like Senate Majority Leader Peter Vos, D-Santa Fe have shown interest in expanding voluntary treatment programs for people with serious mental illness through civil and criminal court proceedings.
Daniel Williams of the ACLU of New Mexico commented “Pilot programs are always a better way forward – one learns what works and what doesn’t rather than rushing legislation when there is even slight risk of danger.”
