Let’s Talk New Mexico, 9/19 8a: Violent crime in New Mexico occurs at about double the national rate, according to the FBI. In July, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called a special legislative session after very few public safety reforms made it through the Legislature early this year. She was rebuffed, though, after lawmakers heeded warnings from community organizations and advocates that the governor’s proposals could do more harm than good. They included stiffening penalties for possessing a gun after being convicted of a felony, expanding who can be involuntarily committed to mental health facilities and criminalizing panhandling in some cases.
On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss ideas for public safety reform, including why the governor’s ideas were unpopular and how her town hall series is changing the conversation.
Are you concerned about violent crime in your community? Are you concerned that your community is over-policed? How much power should the criminal justice system have over suspects deemed incompetent to stand trial? How do guns fit into the problem? How much of the solution is about addressing poverty? Share your experiences or ideas by emailing letstalk@kunm.org, leaving a voice message by clicking the link below, or by calling in live at 505-277-5866 Thursday morning from 8-9am.
Guests:
- Benjamin Baker, Senior Public Safety Advisor, Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
- New Mexico Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Interim Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee
- Gabrielle Dietrich, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Mexico
- Matt Mirarchi, Director of Advancement and Operations, Enlace Communitario
- Denali Wilson, attorney, ACLU of New Mexico
You can view videos of a few of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's town halls on her Youtube page.
