Denish condemns sex crimes against kids

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Lt. Gov. Diane Denish says sexual crimes against children have decreased statewide by 25 percent from 2007 to 2008.

She says the message is clear that New Mexico will not tolerate crimes against children. She says new laws increased awareness, vigilance in communities and are helping to make New Mexico a dangerous place for those who would harm children.

Denish shared the crime statistics before kicking off an AMBER Alert awareness campaign that includes a nationwide poster competition.

Fifth-grade classes across the state will participate in the contest, called "Bring Our Missing Children Home."

The winning art work will be displayed at the National Missing Children's Day ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C., in late May.