EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)—The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) and other law enforcement agencies have made over 300 arrests and 1,200 citations during Operation “Not in Vain,” a crime reduction project.
According to LCPD, the operation is a three-month crime reduction project that targets violent and property crimes, persons with outstanding warrants, repeat offenders, traffic enforcement, and quality-of-life crimes.
The project was made in memory of fallen LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez, an El Paso native, who died in the line of duty on Feb. 11. Hernandez served two years with LCPD.
“The success of this operation underscores the importance of collaboration among state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies,” Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department Jeremy Story said. “By combining resources and expertise, we have positively impacted the safety of our community.
“While this is an important step forward, we recognize there is still much work to be done. Together with our partners, we remain committed to pressing on and addressing the challenges ahead and ensuring justice and safety for all Las Cruces.”
Operation Not in Vain began on Aug. 5 and ended on Nov. 8.
LCPD has reported the following arrests and citations for the operation:
1284 Traffic citations
291 Reports taken
209 Trespass warnings
127 Arrests (felony)
119 Field interviews
114 Arrests (misdemeanor)
89 Criminal citations issued
29 Warrants (search/arrest) completed
25 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered
24 Separate narcotics seizures
12 Firearms seized/recovered
15 DWI arrests
“This operation is a testament to the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, “Chief of New Mexico State Police Troy Weisler said. “By working together, we’ve successfully taken dangerous criminals, illegal firearms, and narcotics off the streets of our communities, making New Mexico safer for all.
“Our commitment to keeping these threats off the streets remains steadfast. We will ensure that Officer Jonah Hernandez’s sacrifice was not in vain and continue to stand united in our fight against crime to protect the safety of our citizens.”
According to LCPD, law enforcement seized over 3,200 fentanyl pills and roughly 54 pounds of methamphetamine during the operation.
In addition, agents tallied 607 consensual contacts with members of the community and 539 meetings with local businesses, LCPD said.
The operation included law enforcement personnel from LCPD, New Mexico State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, representatives from the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other federal task force agents.
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