By Brien Straw, Houston Public media News for Audio Texas
HOUSTON – The Texas legislature has committed $800 Million to securing the Mexican border, but improving security in one part of the state may be reducing it in others.
The goal for the Texas legislature was a secure border. But Steve McCraw – Department of Public Safety Director told the them Tuesday, that 12 of 14 border counties would be categorized as “minimally controlled” or “unsecured.”
“The overwhelming amount of trafficking is occurring through the Rio Grande Valley. 53% of the total apprehensions, not just for Texas but for the nation, is happening in the Rio Grande Valley.”
In 2015 the state approved the border security package hoping additional tools and 250 patrol officers would stem the tide of illegal activity. But, DPS is still 52 officers short of its goal. And placing all the new troopers on the border is not something McCraw is willing to do.
“We can’t put all rookies down there. We cannot do that. It’s already a strain on our system of experienced field training officers to be able to provide that experience.”
So far, the solution has been to pull experienced troopers from other parts of the state. And McCraw says that has consequences.
“Anytime we deploy troopers out of an area it has an impact on that area, and we’ve been doing that for two years now. So, clearly is there a public safety impact in the area when they leave, absolutely.”
McCraw believes this issue will be solved when DPS hires the additional officers, which hopes will happen by the end of the year.
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