TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PROGRAM LEADS TO BIG DROP IN VIOLENT CRIME IN ALBUQUERQUE AND OTHER DANGEROUS CITIES
ALBUQUERQUE, OCTOBER 14 — U.S. Attorney General William Barr came to Albuquerque today to show how the Trump Administration’s Operation Legend is making significant progress in the national fight against violent crime.
Albuquerque is among nine cities targeted by federal agencies, including U.S. Marshals, FBI, DEA, ATF and Homeland Security to crack down on violent crime. Albuquerque is among the most dangerous cities in America.
Barr and federal officials, along with Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales, say they’re pleased with the results and, thanks to the President’s initiative, violent crime is going down.
Operation Legend got under way in July, and the initiative has netted more than 5,000 arrests in the nine cities. Out of those arrested, 1,057 have been charged with federal offenses and 247 were arrested for homicides.
Albuquerque has seen real results in the battle against violent crime. Officials report that 113 defendants have been charged with federal crimes. They include: 47 people charged with narcotics-related offenses, 56 defendants charged with firearms-related offenses and 10 defendants charged with other violent crimes.
One of those arrested as a result of Operation Legend includes a suspect in the murder of Jackie Vigil of Albuquerque. She was gunned down in her car in her driveway last November.
The strong results come after Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller called Operation Legend a political stunt and even went as far as calling federal agents “secret police.” Those comments came from a Mayor whose city is seeing skyrocketing crime.
“President Trump and his Administration continue to show that they’re serious about stopping violent crime in our country,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. “The numbers speak volumes for the success of this program. It’s embarrassing that Mayor Keller put politics ahead of public safety when he voiced his opposition to federal agents coming here. But it’s gratifying that Albuquerque received these federal agents and resources at a time when crime is out of control. Our President gets results, and these numbers show that the initiative is working.”
Operation Legend includes Albuquerque, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Memphis and Indianapolis.
