AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry’s reelection campaign today launched its
first ad of the Fall election season highlighting the Perry
Administration’s efforts to secure the Texas/Mexico border. This ad
will begin on Sept. 5th and run in selected markets across the state
for a significant period of time. The ad titled “Border” can be viewed
on the Texans for Rick Perry web site at www.RickPerry.org/multimedia.
“Gov. Perry has said repeatedly that there can be no homeland
security without border security,” Perry spokesman Robert Black said.
“By deploying the National Guard and additional state resources to
assist local law enforcement, Gov. Perry has taken the lead in securing
the Texas border.”
“When local law enforcement needed help protecting our border,
Governor Perry was the only one who answered the call and delivered the
resources needed to help us,” said Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo
Gonzalez, former chairman of the Border Sheriffs Coalition. “While
others talked about the problems along the border, Governor Perry acted
and thanks to his efforts border sheriffs now have greater resources to
fight illegal activity.” [Note: Sheriff Gonzalez is featured in the ad.]
“Border” Transcript:
Gov. Perry: If Washington won’t protect our border,
Texas will. Here along the Rio Grande we’re funding a border-wide crime
control effort, led by local law enforcement.
Voiceover: Governor Rick Perry ordered the Texas
National Guard to provide border security support six months before the
president requested it. And he’s fighting for 100 million dollars to
stop illegal activity.
Gov. Perry: We’re increasing patrols, using
technology to stop terrorists from crossing our border. We can’t have
homeland security without border security.
Voiceover: Governor Rick Perry, Keeping Texans safe.
“Border” Fact Check:
”...we’re funding a border-wide crime control effort, led by local law enforcement.”
In 2005, Gov. Perry funded the Border Sheriffs Coalition’s Operation
Linebacker with $10 million. In 2006, Gov. Perry launched Operation Rio
Grande to send additional state resources to the border region and is
working with state leaders to find additional funds to continue
Operations Rio Grande and Operation Linebacker.
“Governor Rick Perry ordered the Texas National Guard to
provide border security support six months before the President
requested it.”
As part of efforts to bolster Operation Linebacker, Gov. Perry
announced in October 2005 Texas would ”...enlist the experience and
expertise of the National Guard to provide training and support…”
President Bush requested federal funding for National Guard efforts on
the Border in May of 2006 and Texas signed an agreement allowing Texas
National Guard troops to participate in the federal governments
Operation Jumpstart In June 2006.
”...he’s fighting for 100 million dollars to stop illegal activity.
Gov. Perry announced on June 1, 2006 that he will ask the Texas
legislature to appropriate an additional $100 million to continue
funding Operation Rio Grande and additional border security operations
for the foreseeable future until the Federal government sends adequate
resources to the border region.
“We’re increasing patrols, using technology to stop terrorists from crossing our border.”
Surge efforts in conjunction with Operation Rio Grande along the
Border have resulted in decreased crime rates ranging from 40% – 70%.
In June 2006, Gov. Perry announced that hundreds of cameras will be
posted along the border to assist law enforcement and be available to
the public via the Internet. The first of these cameras are now
operational.
Additional Information
OPERATION LINEBACKER – In October 2005, Gov. Perry authorized
millions of dollars in funding and numerous state assets to support
this border security initiative led by local sheriffs. Specifically,
the state has helped:
- Increase Local Law Enforcement Presence –
The governor has provided $10 million to the Texas Border Sheriff’s
Coalition to hire additional local law enforcement personnel and pay
for overtime costs. Four rapid deployment teams of state troopers,
consisting of 50 members each, have been established to quickly react
to hot-spots in direct support of local law enforcement. - Reduce Border Crime – The Department of Public Safety has permanently assigned 54 additional criminal investigators to the border.
- Expedite Radio Interoperability
– The governor has provided $7.4 million to accelerate implementation
of radio interoperability among border law enforcement and emergency
responders.
OPERATION RIO GRANDE – A comprehensive border security strategy Gov.
Perry launched in February 2006 that gives the state a leading role in
coordinating intelligence and law enforcement assets within an 80,000
square mile region. Under this operation, Texas has been able to:
- Centralize Intelligence, Command and Control
– A new around-the-clock Border Security Operations Center (BSOC)
serves as a central point of coordination for state, local and federal
operations. All incidents are reported to the BSOC, which in turn
provides real-time intelligence to officers on the ground. - Increase State Law Enforcement Presence
– The state has dispatched Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper
Strike Teams, covert surveillance units, and Texas Department of Parks
and Wildlife game wardens across the border region. Additionally, the
governor has authorized the deployment of Texas Department of Criminal
Justice canine tracking teams, and assigned the Texas Rangers to
investigate all allegations of Mexican Military incursions onto Texas
soil. - Increase the Use of State Assets and Equipment
– The governor has directed DPS to support law enforcement patrols with
fixed-wing and rotary aviation assets. The Department of Transportation
will assist operations with specialized equipment such as road
barriers. Additionally, the governor has authorized the deployment of
the Texas Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, to aid
ground operations. - Utilize National Guard Resources
– Texas has enlisted the National Guard to provide homeland security
support, training and exercises along the border. The National Guard is
helping local law enforcement personnel and providing a strong, visible
deterrent to lawbreakers. - Increase the Use of Technology
– The governor has directed the increased use of technology across the
border region, allowing law enforcement to better monitor and deter
illegal activity at known criminal routes and hotspots. The governor
has also directed that law enforcement agencies in all 45 border
counties be put on the fast track for the deployment of electronic
fingerprinting capabilities, so that the identity of criminals can be
determined faster and with greater accuracy. Additionally, The Governor
has ordered hundreds of video cameras to be posed in hotspots along the
border to assist law enforcement in detecting criminal activity.
Political advertisement paid for by Texans for 
Governor Rick Perry
Governor Rick Perry
Governor Rick Perry
Governor Rick Perry