Carrizozo Police Department

08/20/2026

**PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT**

The Carrizozo Police Department would like to reassure parents, students, and residents regarding an incident reported today at Carrizozo Municipal Schools.

Our School Resource Officer immediately responded and worked with school staff to assess the situation and ensure the safety of our students and staff.

**There was no actual threat to the school or students.**

We understand that reports of a possible threat at a school can understandably cause fear and concern. The safety of our children and our community remains our highest priority, and we take every report seriously.

We appreciate the cooperation of Carrizozo Municipal Schools, students, staff, parents, and the community as we responded to the situation. Please continue to rely on official information from the Carrizozo Police Department and Carrizozo Municipal Schools and avoid sharing unverified information on social media.

**Our children are safe, and there was no actual threat.**

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation

08/19/2026

🚨Congratulations!🚨

In last week's Board of Trustee meeting, the Town of Carrizozo and the Carrizozo Police Department recognized 2 of our residents and a Town employee for their roles with helping capture the escaped prisoner from the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Tonyah Wall and her sister Marissa Beltran observed the escapee on their property immediately after he escaped and contacted dispatch and advised them what he was wearing and a direction of travel. Town employee Juaquina Montes was driving down Airport Rd at the same time and also observed the escapee. Juaquina then made sure that the daycare in that area was locked down and also alerted nearby residents to stay indoors.

Because of the quick actions by all three, the escapee was subsequently captured in the area by the Lincoln County SO at a vacant home. They should be commended for their selfless actions with helping keep our community safe!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

08/13/2026

08/10/2026

🚨🚨🚨BACK TO SCHOOL🚨🚨🚨

Today is the first day of school in Carrizozo! 🚌🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️
Please slow down in school zones (15 M.P.H.) and watch for busses! We will be watching you! 👀👮🚓

08/06/2026

The Carrizozo Police Department would like to introduce you to Carrizozo's first ever dedicated School Resource Officer, Officer Ryan Blanton. Officer Blanton has been with the Carrizozo Police Department for about 2 years. He has previous experience with the Otero County SO, Tularosa PD and Alamogordo PD. He is a certified instructor and has numerous hours of advanced training. He recently attended the Basic School Resource Officer training course through the National Association of School Resource Officers and attended the National Conference in Reno, NV. He is excited to start this new position! He will provide daily security for the school property, will form relationships with the students through mentorship and will teach classes on anti-bullying, internet safety, substance abuse and many others during the school year.
We are proud of Officer Blanton and hope that he has a great first year!

08/05/2026

The Town of Carrizozo and the Carrizozo Police Department would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for their rapid and professional response to the incident yesterday involving the escaped prisoner from the jail. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Lincoln County Dispatchers for getting the information to officers in a timely manner and for their professionalism during a rapidly evolving situation. Because of all of their immediate actions, the prisoner was captured quickly without any injuries to responding officers or the community. Our citizens are grateful for LCSO helping keep our community safe!
We would also like to thank the following agencies who also responded and helped our community:
New Mexico State Police
New Mexico Game and Fish
Capitan Police Department
Lincoln County OES
It is because of the partnership and cooperative efforts of all of these agencies that our community is safe!!

08/04/2026

ESCAPED INMATE HAS BEEN CAPTURED!!

08/04/2026

EDIT: INMATE HAS BEEN CAPTURED!

Public Safety Alert
Public Safety Alert: An inmate has escaped from the Lincoln County Detention Center in Carrizozo, New Mexico. The subject is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5'7", 160 pounds, with black hair, hazel eyes, and facial and neck tattoos. He was last seen wearing orange detention pants and a white shirt. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico State Police, and Carrizozo Police Department are actively searching for the individual. Residents should remain alert, avoid picking up hitchhikers, and do not approach the suspect. If you see anyone matching this description, immediately call 911. Do not attempt to detain or confront the individual.

08/04/2026

EDIT: INMATE HAS BEEN CAPTURED!

CARRIZOZO, NM Alert: ATTENTION
THERE IS AN ESCAPED INMATE FROM THE LINCOLN COUNTY DETENTION CENTER. HE IS IN AN ORANGE JUMP SUIT.
PLEASE STAY IN YOUR HOMES AND LOCK YOUR DOORS.