State of Emergency Declared in Rio Arriba County and Española Amid Crime Surge
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency in Rio Arriba County, the city of Española, and nearby pueblos following sharp increases in crime and overdoses.
According to the governor’s office, police calls in Española and surrounding areas have more than doubled over the past two years. Calls for service to local businesses have quadrupled in the same period. Officials also noted that Rio Arriba County continues to report the highest overdose rate in New Mexico.
The emergency declaration is intended to provide additional resources to local law enforcement and public safety agencies to address the surge.
State of New Mexico
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2025-358
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY IN RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, THE CITY OF ESPAÑOLA, SANTA CLARA, AND OHKAY OWINGEH AND AUTHORIZING
EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WHEREAS, Rio Arriba County, the City of Española, and the neighboring pueblos of
Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh are experiencing a significant increase in crime, including but
not limited to violent offenses, property crimes, drug trafficking, and other public safety threats;
WHEREAS, for example, police calls in the City of Española have more than doubled in
the past two years, and police dispatches to businesses in Santa Clara have quadrupled during that
same time;
WHEREAS, the impacts of these public safety threats are severe and far-reaching,
manifesting in increased homelessness, family instability, and fatal drug overdoses;
WHEREAS, a significant number of residents of Rio Arriba County, Española, Santa
Clara, and Ohkay Owingeh struggle with addiction to alcohol and illicit substances such
fentanyl, resulting in Rio Arriba County having the highest overdose death rate in the state;
WHEREAS, the surge in criminal activity and addiction has placed an extraordinary
burden on the local governments, especially local police departments;
WHEREAS, Rio Arriba County, the City of Española, Santa Clara, and Ohkay Owingeh
State Capitol Room 400 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 505-476-2200
have indicated that local resources are insufficient to address this emergency, and they have
requested immediate assistance from the State of New Mexico;
WHEREAS, this emergency requires immediate action to protect public peace, health, and
safety; and
WHEREAS, this disaster is of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and required
the resources of the State of New Mexico to minimize economic or physical harm and to take
actions necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico do hereby DECLARE a state of emergency to exist in Rio Arriba County, the City of Española, Santa Clara, and Ohkay Owingeh, and ORDER and DIRECT as follows:
1. The Department of Finance and Administration shall make available emergency
financial resources in an amount not to exceed seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
($750,000.00) to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in
accordance with NMSA 1978, Sections 12-11-23 to -25, and NMSA 1978, Sections 12-10-14 to –
15. The funds shall be expended for the resources and services necessary to avoid or minimize
economic or physical harm until the situation becomes stabilized; on a temporary, emergency basis
for lodging, sheltering, health care, food, any transportation or shipping necessary to protect lives
or public property; or for any other action necessary to protect the public health, safety, welfare,
and property. The funds shall be expended in accordance with the policy and procedures of the
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as approved by the Governor or
her Authorized Representative.
Executive Order 2025-358
State Capitol Room 400 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 505-476-2200
2. The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shall
coordinate all requests for assistance and responses to such requests under the authority of and as
determined by the Governor or her Authorized Representative. In addition to such other eligibility
criteria as may be established by the Governor or her Authorized Representative, applicants
requesting financial assistance from the State for necessary action taken in response to the
emergency shall be required to demonstrate that the cost of the necessary action exceeds their
available resources, as determined based upon criteria developed in conjunction with the State
agencies, if any, with financial and budgetary oversight responsibilities for the applicant.
3. The Adjutant General shall order into service any elements of the New Mexico
National Guard as are or may be needed to provide military support to civil authorities as needed
for this emergency. This action is pursuant to and in accordance with NMSA 1978, Sections 20-
1-1 to -8, NMSA 1978, Sections 20-2-1 to -8, and NMSA 1978, Sections 20-4-1 to -14. Such
emergency assistance shall be provided during the period of need at the discretion of the Governor
or her Authorized Representative.
4. All Cabinet Departments and agencies under gubernatorial control shall provide any assistance that may be required by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management or by the State Emergency Operations Center under the authority ofthe Governor’s Authorized Representative.
I FURTHER ORDER and DIRECT as follows:
1. This Order supersedes any previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until all authorized funds are expended or no longer necessary to provide emergency assistance.
Executive Order 2025-358
State Capitol Room 400 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 505-476-2200
ATTEST:
Merje Sabouae lei Goulouse
MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER
SECRETARY OF STATE
DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 2025
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
MICHELLE LUJAN hujan GRISHAM Lishen
GOVERNOR