NEW SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT CREATED

SANTA FE (KSMX)- The governor of New Mexico has created a special law enforcement unit to arrest hundreds of fugitives across the state.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday that the Fugitive Apprehension Unit would be responsible for finding people charged with violent crimes who have failed to appear in court. Authorities say this unit would help reduce the more than 1,600 outstanding bench warrants for people charged with violent crimes.

Authorities say New Mexico has the second-highest violent crime rate in the nation.