Program named for slain officer a success, LCPD say

Since late April, the Las Cruces Police Department has been putting more police on the street through a program called Operation Not in Vain.

The operation puts an additional set of police officers on the street that patrol high crime areas to try to confront crime in a more proactive manner, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said. The operation is named ‘Not in Vain’ to remember LCPD officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed in the line of duty in February of 2024.

“That’s a reminder to me, that’s a reminder to the officers working why we go out and do this job and we have to make a difference to our community,” Story said.

Story called it a “much more proactive response.”

“They are not responding to calls, they are going to hotspots, they are dealing with frequent offenders,” Story explained.

Since this operation is multi-agency, Story said that officers from the Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police and NMSU Police officers all have participated in the operation.

“In those hotspots, they might make a traffic stop or check out with somebody and that person ends up having a warrant or they arrest them for something else,” Story explained. “There is another group that’s going after people they know have warrants and who are committing a bunch of crimes.”

Story said the officers working together is rewarding.

“Seeing everyone work together this way has been extremely encouraging and I think it also shows the public that we are united as law enforcement in southern New Mexico,” Story said.

Story described this year’s operation as “extremely successful” citing the drop in overall crime compared to last year. According to statistics listed in a June press release, the operation was responsible for 94 felony arrests, 98 misdemeanor arrests and the seizure of more than 2,300 fentanyl pills.

“If you look at the year-to-date crime stats, that 10% reduction overall is not just because of Not in Vain, but it is certainly a part of the reason why we have a reduction like that,” Story said.

LCPD Officer Anthony Harrison went on patrol last week as part of Operation Not in Vain, a program designed to reduce crime and named for slain LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez.

Las Cruces Bulletin photo by Noah Raess

Riding along with LCPD Officer Anthony Harrison

Through a ride along with LCPD Officer Anthony Harrison, the Bulletin was able to see what the operation looked like on the ground.

Harrison mostly patrolled areas of Picacho Ave. focusing on gas stations that have had issues with trespassing and other crimes in the past. His patrol also involved speaking with store owners to see if they have had problems with serial trespassers recently.

While not responsible for responding to calls like a normal patrol unit would, Harrison kept up to date with any calls that were going out and was available for assistance if another officer was needed.

When asked about some of the biggest issues facing the city, Harrison said that drug use, especially the use of fentanyl, has been severely impacting many people across the city. He even said that dealers sometimes offer buy-two-get-one-free deals for pills.

Part of his shift also included checking in on a man who appeared to be unconscious in a parking lot in the 2200 block of E. Lohman Ave. After ensuring the man did not need medical attention — and giving him a sandwich that a passerby offered — the officer continued to patrol.

While no arrests or drug seizures happened during the two hours of the Bulletin’s ride along, Harrison said that being visible in the community - whether that means handing stickers to kids or being a presence at troubled gas stations – helps the community.

The operation is scheduled to end this month.

LCPD Officer Anthony Harrison went on patrol last week as part of Operation Not in Vain, a program designed to reduce crime and named for slain LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez.

Las Cruces Bulletin photo by Noah Raess