(NewsNation) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tells NewsNation that deploying the National Guard to combat crime in Albuquerque has led to dramatic results, with felony arrests up 22% and misdemeanor arrests increasing 30%.

The Democratic governor, who declared a public safety emergency in April and deployed several dozen National Guard troops to Albuquerque’s Route 66 corridor, defended her decision as necessary to ensure residents feel safe in their communities.

“I’m not looking for a reputation. I’m looking to solve a problem until every New Mexican meets their constitutional right … to feel safe in their church and home and grocery store,” Grisham told NewsNation.

“Democrats ought to lean in to make sure that everyone in their states and communities feels and is safe,” she said.

The governor’s comments come as President Donald Trump faces controversy over deploying the National Guard to Washington D.C. and Memphis, and threatening similar action in Chicago.

Grisham’s deployment in New Mexico’s largest city has received little national attention compared to Trump’s federal interventions.

Grisham signed an executive order in April clearing the way for 60 to 70 troops to be deployed, with training already underway by mid-May. The order also freed up state funds for the National Guard operation.

Unlike direct law enforcement roles, the National Guard troops in Albuquerque do not engage with the public but handle support duties that typically drain police officers’ time, such as directing traffic, securing crime scenes, transporting prisoners and providing courthouse security.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina called the National Guard support “crucial” in giving officers more time for street patrols. Mayor Tim Keller said nearly every category of crime has decreased since the beginning of the year.

Grisham criticizes federal intervention, wants more federal agents instead

While supporting governors deploying their own state’s National Guard, Grisham criticized federal intervention strategies, saying she agrees with the majority of Democratic governors that such approaches are “not strategic” and “not helpful.”

However, she also noted that the president could be helpful by providing “some more FBI agents and how about some more DEA officers or ATF — these are all the federal folks — U.S. marshals. How about some more prosecutors?” she said.

Governors typically deploy the National Guard for natural disasters, border security or, as seen in New York last year, metro system patrols following high-profile crimes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.