More than $18 million in federal stimulus money is heading to New Mexico to fight crime.

New Mexico Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall said the money will be used to support numerous anti-crime initiatives that would otherwise dry up because state and local funding is drying up because of the economy.

A total of $11 million will go to the state, from that money $5 million will go to communities through a competitive basis and the Department of Public Safety will distribute the rest based on the state’s priorities.

The money could be used for upgrading law enforcement equipment and drug treatment and prevention programs.