Deb Haaland Joins Law Enforcement for Ride Along, Shares Vision for Public Safety in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Democratic candidate for Governor Deb Haaland joined law enforcement for a ride-along. Haaland’s vision for public safety works to keep communities safe with support for law enforcement and real investment in crime prevention.

The ride along is part of her efforts to hear directly from stakeholders, including a round table in Las Cruces, a tour of Albuquerque Street Medicine, and conversations with families about the fentanyl crisis. She will continue meeting with officers, first responders, and residents across New Mexico as she builds on her experience overseeing law enforcement as Secretary of the Interior.

“New Mexicans deserve to feel safe and are tired of illegal drugs running rampant – and that must change. My public safety plan was made in collaboration with law enforcement, behavioral health, first-responders, emergency management and public safety professionals across the state,” said Haaland. “It’s why I will create the first-in-the-nation State Office of Community Safety, while also giving law enforcement the tools to keep violent criminals off our streets.”

Haaland’s plan works to keep violent criminals and illegal drugs off our streets and ensures law enforcement has the tools they need to stop crime, while addressing the root causes of crime through investments in mental health, and substance abuse and rehabilitation programs.

Haaland oversaw thousands of law enforcement officers across the country as the Secretary of the Interior, including the National Park Service Police and the Bureau of Land Management Office of Law Enforcement. She has managed more police officers than any candidate in the race. She also worked with the Indian Bureau of Education to support mental health services in high schools that serve Native children to prevent young people from going down a path to addiction. In Congress, Haaland delivered $9.4 million to communities in New Mexico to address the opioid crisis and provide addiction services.