ESPAÑOLA — In the run-up to Thanksgiving, as crowds of shoppers made their way through a bustling Walmart, two National Guard members could be seen in camouflage uniforms walking around the store.

For several weeks, Española residents have noticed uniformed National Guard members present in the small Northern New Mexico city, the result of the second deployment this year of military members by New Mexico’s governor to assist local police departments in law enforcement efforts.

While some city officials have praised the unique use of the Guard, others in Española believe the impact on the community’s longtime struggles with public safety and drugs remains to be seen.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the deployments after signing emergency declarations in August that cite an increase i

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