In an ongoing effort to combat crime and honor a fallen officer, the Las Cruces Police Department has released the May statistics for their "Operation Not in Vain 2025," according to the City of Las Cruces. The initiative, named in remembrance of Officer Jonah Hernandez, who was killed on February 11, 2024, has racked up 58 felony arrests, 59 misdemeanor arrests, and netted approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine thus far.
Since its inception on April 28, 2025, the operation has initiated 500 traffic stops, issued 128 citations and, among others achievements, they recovered eight stolen firearms and located four stolen vehicles; the collective effort taken part by various law enforcement agencies, including New Mexico State Police and the U.S. Attorney's Office, has been substantial. Not to be overlooked, officials also reported the seizure of other narcotics, including 32.6 grams of fentanyl and two grams of cocaine, revealing the depth of the drug problem they are facing.
Beyond just the hard statistics, "Operation Not in Vain" has made considerable community engagements, with 384 consensual contacts with citizens and 61 with businesses, which indicates a broader approach to not just enforcing the law but also building relationships with the populace they serve. Additionally, operations generated 72 incident reports, served eight search or arrest warrants, and issued 28 trespass warnings, showcasing a multifaceted strategy to address crime in the area.
The collective effort to curb crime and pay tribute to Officer Hernandez has drawn on resources from several law enforcement agencies, creating a unified front in the mission to keep Las Cruces safe; the stakeholders, including federal agencies and New Mexico State University Police, have come together to push the operation anticipated to extend through August 2025 to deliver tangible results in the community's fight against crime.
