Bernalillo County sheriff flags human trafficking, fentanyl and homelessness surge; seeks drones, AI, deputies and behavioral-health staff

Bernalillo County Sheriff told the county oversight panel on an early-January meeting that human trafficking, fentanyl and related public-safety problems have increased in the county and that his office will expand technology, behavioral-health staffing and deputy ranks to respond.

"Human trafficking is rampant in Bernalillo County," the Bernalillo County Sheriff said, adding the office is coordinating with other agencies and planning press conferences to explain planned technology uses. "We're coming to an agreement [with civil-rights groups] because we all understand the big brother concept."

The sheriff described several immediate priorities: expanding the department's drone program, moving into responsible use of artificial intelligence to reduce administrative burdens, retaining license-plate readers and other camera systems, and creating an internal accountability position to audit how deputies use those tools. "It will not be a budget request," he said of the accountability post; he said the office plans to fill the role from a frozen position in the department.

Why it matters: the sheriff framed the moves as responses to increasing criminal activity and to operational gaps the office found during recent incidents. He also tied technology and staffing to lifesaving outcomes, saying the drone program and cameras have helped…