ESPANOLA – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday joined Española leadership to announce $300,000 in state funds to support the relocation and centralization of the Española police station.

“Every New Mexican deserves to feel safe and to know that law enforcement is coming when they need help – that’s why we’re making this investment in Española’s new relocated police station, and that’s why my administration is investing in both hiring new officers and retaining experienced law enforcement in communities across the state,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham.

The funding will enable the relocation and equipment of the Española police station, centrally locating the station in an area with high call volumes to support community policing and reduce response times. According to the Española Police Department, nearly 30% of the department’s calls for service over the last four years surround the police station’s new location. The technological upgrades to the new station will also improve communications with the public and bring upgraded equipment to the investigative teams.

“The relocation of the Police Department to the growing north side of the city will assist with mitigation of crime in our high retail corridor,” said Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil. “When this plan was first conceived, Governor Lujan Grisham expressed enthusiasm and without hesitation offered support to assist in our efforts.”

In addition to securing over $50 million in funding for law enforcement recruitment and retention across the state, Gov. Lujan Grisham has delivered tens of millions of dollars in capital outlay for public safety and invested $90 million to give law enforcement in New Mexico communities large and small the tools they need, including: more than $35 million for a new, state-of-the-art crime lab; $32 million to build new facilities and improve existing ones; and $9.6 million for much-needed communications and analytic equipment.