EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)—The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) and other law enforcement agencies have made over 120 arrests in the first month of Operation “Not in Vain.”
The operation is a crime reduction project that targets violent and property crimes, persons with outstanding warrants, repeat offenders, traffic enforcement and quality of life crimes, according to LCPD in a news release.
According to LCPD, the project was created in memory of fallen LCPD officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 11, after responding to a trespassing call at a vacant building on the 300 block of south Valley Drive.
Hernandez was from El Paso and served two years with LCPD.
“Although we have many challenges to tackle, the first month of Operation Not in Vain has given me a lot of hope that we are becoming a safer city together,” said LCPD Chief Jeremy Story. “The collaboration between law enforcement agencies, businesses and citizens has been incredibly encouraging and rewarding.”
The operation began on Aug. 5 and will run until November. The following information provided by LCPD is data gathered throughout Aug.:
4 DWI arrests
9 Firearms seized/recovered
10 Separate narcotics seizures
12 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered
13 Warrants (search/arrest) completed
38 Criminal citations issued
50 Arrests (misdemeanor)
60 Field interviews
70 Trespass warnings
77 Arrests (felony)
124 Reports taken
322 Traffic citations
“This is the quintessential example of the impact law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels can have when they work together,” said David O. Barnett, Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with the Las Cruces Police Department and how our combined efforts positively impact our community’s safety.”
According to LCPD, law enforcement has also seized roughly 2,000 fentanyl pills and over 53 pounds of methamphetamine within Aug.
“Due to this operation and our partnership with Las Cruces PD, dangerous synthetic drugs that are killing New Mexicans have been removed from Las Cruces,” said Towanda R. Thorne-James, special agent in charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “With this type of collaboration with our local law enforcement partners, the men and women of the DEA are making our communities safer and healthier.”
“Homeland Security Investigations is proud to work alongside our federal, state and local agency partners as part of Operation Not in Vain to help combat gang activity and violent crime in southern New Mexico,” said acting special agent in Charge, Jason T. Stevens, HSI El Paso. “These partnerships are essential for tackling complex, multi-jurisdictional crimes and ensuring public safety.”
The operation has also provided 270 consensual contracts among members of the community and conducted 144 meetings with local businesses, according to LCPD.
“We honor Officer Hernandez by continuing his work of serving and protecting the citizens of Las Cruces,” said Troy Weisler, chief of New Mexico State Police. “His sacrifice was not in vain, and we are dedicated to creating a safer community for all residents.”
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