Gov. Perry Stresses Border Security As Federal Government Neglects Its Responsibilities

IRVING – Gov. Rick Perry today visited the Irving Police Association to discuss the impact of Texas’ border security efforts and reiterate his commitment to upholding the security of Texas communities.

“I deeply respect the Federal Border Patrol Agents who work with our local and state law enforcement in the border region, but they have consistently been shortchanged when it comes to the resources that they need to do their job,” said Gov. Perry. “That is why Texas keeps stepping up with resources to fill that gap. I am proud of what Texas has done to bolster border security by putting more boots on the ground with the technology, coordination and support they need.”

Gov. Perry specifically highlighted efforts to combat the threat of transnational gangs across the state, which have become an increasing threat to Texas communities and recruit members from Texas schools and prisons.

“As we have made life and business tougher for the drug cartels, they have relied increasingly on transnational gangs fueling their growth in size and influence in communities across our state,” said Gov. Perry. “That is why we have provided close to $4 million in grants to local police departments across the state in 2008 in the effort to provide adequate resources to peace officers on the front lines of the ongoing conflict with these gangs.”

Specifically in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as part of the state’s transnational gangs initiative, $225,000 grants were awarded to Arlington, Garland, Fort Worth and Irving, along with a $500,000 grant for Dallas.

The governor cited the success of the state’s anti-gang strategy, noting 2009 reports from police departments across the state that show close to 1,000 felony arrests and the seizure of more than half a ton of drugs. In addition to grants allocated in 2008, the 81st Legislature passed an omnibus gang bill which provided for the electronic monitoring of gang members, the creation of gang-free zones, and the establishment of civil liability for gang members and the damage they cause. The Legislature also funded a gang intelligence section within the Texas Fusion Center as well as gang investigations and prosecutions.

“These gangs most certainly know that we mean business and the drug cartels that fund them are working even harder to overcome our efforts,” said Gov. Perry. “Fortunately for us, we have the resolve, and more importantly, we have Texas peace officers who have sworn to defend our citizens and do so with great courage. I thank them for their service and the safety and security they preserve with their sacrifice.”

Because the federal government has failed to secure Texas’ international border, Gov. Perry has been instrumental in providing the necessary resources to fill the gap by implementing a border security strategy based on putting boots on the ground and equipping law enforcement with the technology, training and funding they need to stem the flow of crime across our border:
• At Gov. Perry’s request, the Texas legislature allocated $110 million in state funds in 2007 to amplify border security efforts through Operation Border Star, which has funded more personnel, and provided assets like aircraft, patrol boats and better technology for communications, data management and coordinated efforts.
• At Gov. Perry’s request, legislators renewed border funding at $116 million in 2009, which includes funds to combat the emerging threat of transnational gangs infiltrating our communities and threatening the safety of our citizens, recruiting members from Texas schools and prisons.
• In Oct. 2009, Gov. Perry launched the Ranger Recon Teams, which utilizes the specialized criminal intelligence and apprehension capabilities of the Texas Rangers to protect Texans who live in remote areas of the border, and whose lives and whose property are threatened by border crime.
• Since Jan. 2009, Gov. Perry has urged the federal government, through letters to President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, to approve his request for 1,000 Title 32 National Guardsmen to support civilian law enforcement efforts to enhance border security in Texas.
• Gov. Perry has consistently fought to fund and utilize innovative technology to support border security strategies which include the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition’s Virtual Border Watch program, a system of cameras along the border, which creates a virtual online patrol presence, allowing the public to view and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. Other technology resources include five state-of-the-art helicopters with forward-looking infrared, electronic fingerprint booking stations, night vision goggles for law enforcement, license plate readers and enhanced radio interoperability to allow communication between different law enforcement jurisdictions.