Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham just hit the emergency button. Again. On January 6, 2026, she signed Executive Order 2026-001, effectively putting several northern regions under a microscope. If you live in Española or Rio Arriba County, you’ve likely felt the tension building for a while now. This isn't just about a spike in paperwork; it’s a move that funnels serious cash and state resources into areas that are currently drowning in crime and addiction.
Basically, the "Land of Enchantment" is wrestling with some very heavy stuff. The governor’s latest decree specifically targets Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, and the City of Española, alongside the Jicarilla Apache Reservation and several Pueblos including Ohkay Owingeh and Santa Clara.
It's a lot to take in.
Why New Mexico Governor Declares State of Emergency Right Now
When a governor declares a state of emergency, it’s usually because the local guys—the mayors and sheriffs—have basically raised their hands and said, "We can't handle this anymore." That’s exactly what happened here. According to the executive order, police calls in Española have more than doubled in just two years. Think about that for a second. Every siren you hear is a symptom of a system stretched past its breaking point.
Businesses in Santa Clara are seeing dispatches quadruple. It’s not just petty theft, either. We are talking about a surge in violent offenses and a drug trafficking problem that has turned Rio Arriba into the overdose capital of the state.
Honestly, the numbers are staggering. Fentanyl has been the primary culprit, with the state health department previously noting it played a role in 65% of overdose deaths. By declaring an emergency, Lujan Grisham is bypassing some of the usual red tape to get the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) involved immediately.
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The National Guard and the Money Trail
So, where is the money going? The state is authorizing additional emergency funds—often in chunks of $750,000—to bolster law enforcement and public safety. In previous iterations of these orders, like the ones seen in late 2025, the New Mexico National Guard was even called in to help.
They aren't there to kick down doors in a military coup, despite what some worried folks on social media might think. Usually, they are handling "back-office" or support tasks:
- Managing prisoner transport so local cops can stay on the street.
- Handling court security.
- Assisting with traffic control during major incidents.
- Providing administrative support to overwhelmed departments.
It’s about freeing up the people with badges to actually go after the traffickers. The governor has been pretty vocal about the fact that she doesn't believe "any constitutional right is intended to be absolute" when it comes to public safety emergencies, a stance that has previously landed her in hot water with gun rights advocates.
Not Just Crime: The 2025-2026 Disaster Cycle
It’s worth noting that New Mexico has been in a state of rolling emergencies for a year. It’s exhausting. Before the focus shifted so heavily to crime in Española and Albuquerque, the state was reeling from natural disasters.
In mid-2025, President Trump (who was back in office by this point in our timeline) approved federal disaster assistance for New Mexico following a brutal string of storms, flooding, and landslides that started in June 2025. Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia counties got hammered.
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Then came the fires. The South Fork and Salt Fires required their own set of emergency declarations to manage the fallout. Between the drought orders in May 2025 and the constant flooding in Mora and Guadalupe counties, the state’s emergency fund has been getting a workout.
The Pushback and the Public Health Angle
Lujan Grisham has taken a unique path by framing crime and gun violence as a "public health emergency." This isn't just a linguistic quirk; it's a legal strategy. By categorizing it this way, she tries to use the Public Health Emergency Response Act to implement things like temporary carry bans in certain areas, as she did in Bernalillo County.
Does it work? Kinda.
The courts have been a see-saw. Judges have slapped down several of her more restrictive gun measures, calling them unconstitutional. Yet, the governor hasn't backed off. She argues that the trauma, the economic burden on hospitals (like the 85% increase in Medicaid claims for gun injuries), and the sheer loss of life justify the "emergency" label.
Some locals are skeptical. They see the National Guard or the "State Police Surge" and worry about over-policing or "armed people in masks" showing up in their neighborhoods. Others are just glad someone is finally doing something about the fentanyl crisis that is tearing families apart in the northern pueblos.
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What This Means for You
If you are traveling through or living in these "emergency" zones, you might see more State Police. You might see National Guard humvees parked near government buildings. You’ll definitely see more checkpoints or "surges" designed to disrupt trafficking routes.
The goal is "stabilization." But in a state where the emergency seems to be the new normal, many are wondering when the "temporary" assistance becomes a permanent fixture of life in New Mexico.
Actionable Steps for New Mexicans
If you’re living in an area currently under a state of emergency, here is how you can actually navigate the situation:
- Monitor Official Executive Orders: Don't rely on Facebook rumors. Check the New Mexico Governor's official website for the actual text of Executive Order 2026-001. This tells you exactly which laws are being suspended or which funds are being moved.
- Report Public Safety Issues Directly: With the state funneling more resources into DHSEM, there are often specific hotlines or reporting tools active during "surge" periods. Use them if you see trafficking activity.
- Stay Informed on Local Restrictions: These emergency orders can sometimes include temporary curfews or restrictions on carrying firearms in specific public parks or government buildings. Know the boundaries to avoid accidental legal trouble.
- Access Health Resources: Part of the "public health" aspect of these orders often involves increased funding for Narcan distribution and addiction services. If you or someone you know is struggling, these resources are usually beefed up during the emergency window.
The situation in New Mexico is moving fast, and while the "State of Emergency" sounds scary, it's primarily a mechanism to move money where it's needed most. Whether it actually lowers the crime rate in the long run remains the $750,000 question.