State Trooper Patrols Increased Around Del Rio
By Chuck Dent
Special to LIVE!
A Texas Department of Public Safety squad car on patrol (contributed photo) (click image to enlarge)
Operation Border Star is described by Governor Rick Perry’s Press Office as a “unified high intensity, multi-agency effort focused on reducing crime in targeted areas along the Texas-Mexico border.” It includes numerous state agencies such as the Texas Rangers, Texas Parks and Wildlife and others. It began in September 2007 following on the heels of two other special operations dating back to 2005 and 2006.
Madden said recently Border Star extends along the border in 42 counties from El Paso to McAllen and up the Coastal Bend. He declined to say how many units are working in the Del Rio area. Their numbers fluctuate depending on where intelligence reports indicate they are needed. He said they assist not only the sheriffs departments and local police departments, but state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol.
The DPS officers are limited in the scope of their activities. “The Texas Highway Patrol is limited to enforcing state law. We can not enforce immigration law so we are not involved in that. The intent of the operation is to insure the quality of life in the border area,” he said.
While the operation is in progress, DPS patrols are heavily enforcing U.S. Highway 277 North of Del Rio, towards Sonora. What used to be a barren drive between the border patrol checkpoint just south of the U.S. Highway 277/377 crossroads to Texas Highway 55 22 miles south of Sonora, is more frequented by patrols. U.S. Highway 90 East, towards San Antonio also has patrol efforts stepped up.
One rumor that has been floating around town has them tied to anti-terrorism operations. When asked if that is the case, he said they are just pursuing their normal activity such as stolen vehicles and narcotic traffickers, but if they came across individuals who are involved in criminal activity or terrorism they would identify them and turn the information over to the appropriate agency. He said the DPS has not come across any terrorists.
As yet none of the people arrested by the various agencies involved in Border Star are involved in terrorism according to Allison Castle of the Governors Press Office. She said 500 illegal aliens from terrorist-related countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Jordan have been arrested since Border Star and its predecessors began in 2005.
“We have seen extraordinary results – upwards of 65% reduction in all crime and a 45% reduction in illegal alien apprehension since 2005. She added, “Enforcing the international border is clearly a federal responsibility, but border states and communities suffer the consequences of a weak security. Therefore, Texas has taken decisive action to protect the border and the American homeland.”
She added Border Star began in high-threat areas and it will be expanded to continuous high-intensity surge operations along the entire Texas/Mexico border. Texas, she said, is disrupting smuggling operations, putting the cartels on notice and securing the border.
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I think it's great that
I think it's great that there are stepped up patrols, even though I don't live in the area. Shows they take law enforcement very seriously and don't put up with any BS or "ca-ca". Now, if we had stepped up patrols via air, boat and wheeled vehicle along the border between Brownsville and El Paso with a "take no prisoners" approach to the invasion of illegals pouring into this country then we'd have a truly monumental and nation-saving endeavor!
However, these days, I am sure those guys have to be careful they don't get the Ramos and Campean treatment -- you know, people doing their jobs and getting thrown in the slammer for it...with nary a sign or hint of a pardon from that no-count little globalist up in the White House (who masquerades as a Republican "conservative"...humpf!).
Talk about a thankless job!
Anyhoo, my hat's off to all those who serve in both law enforcement AND immigration enforcement. Many times, these roles coincide given the drug lord vermin they have to deal with from the barrio to the south.
Great comment! I can only
Great comment! I can only hope that GWB will parrot Slick Willie's last-minute pardon efforts so Ramos and Compean can finally get justice. They paid a horrendous price for doing their jobs.
I just have to say that I
I just have to say that I love this comment! Very insightful and humorous at the same time.
The good citizens of this
The good citizens of this great nation do love their law enforcement despite the never ending “doughnut jokes” assaults. They are our state-side soldiers here to "protect and serve" you. They are here to protect us from our ever more threading front lines, our wonderful neighbors no doubt.
So, it seems to me that increasing the amount of security around the local area (and across Texas) is a defensive strike against what people fear the most, increase drug violence. I think the chances of terrorist having activity in the local area is highly unlikely, but must provide and proceed with prudence for the subject.
Still, Law enforcement presence is at the very least a deterrent for those individuals wanting to impose their will. They are no doubt a formidable force. However, our law enforcement agencies will be challenged as sure as middle school students challenge teachers.
What I am talking about here is cause and effect.
To begin with, those terrorist unwittingly set in motion a cascade of damaging effects upon our great nation.
DR, will be confronted with many new develish challenges that many have not yet fully realized, but it is already in its first trimester of development. It you kept up with news in California, Arizona, the Valley, Laredo, El Paso, and even here…you are well informed.
The new challenges seem inevitable, the relationship and tourism support with DR’s sister city has been on the decline and will continue to do so. The reason is due to increase border security (fear of traveling into Mexico, border documentation concerns, etc.)
The usual motivating culprit, "money" is therefore introduced. The root of the problem is that unfortunately many of Mexico’s local businesses have been harshly affected monetarily. This trend will of course trickle down to everyone else in its community. As you know, the economy is one big cause and effect chain. Some of us are just realizing that with our gas prices and soon with the flooded farm lands in Iowa. So the question now is, how will some business owners, laborers, politicians, police officers makeup for lost revenues and keep their families afloat?
For some the answer could result in corruption, trafficking, kidnapping, murder, etc. The proof has been widely documented among many news papers across the state. I hope this is not DR’s fate.
Personally, I have not been to DR for a good while and honestly I do not plan to as the USAF decided to transfer me from your wonderful community, but I do love what it offers and it would be ashamed if Del Rio were to befall into another violent border city. I said that, it seems inevitable that this scenario would happen, but it really does not need to be the case. The community would be best off it they would support their chosen leaders, and then make them aware of their concerns on both sides of the border. Awareness is step 1.
Little known law enforcement
Little known law enforcement fact:
They must eat
This just begs the following
This just begs the following reply; "I didn't know they had donuts at the Ramada".
Seriously though, these guy's are busting their butt's, are away from their
family and loved ones and now have gone from just protecting all Texans to
covering the rears of the rest of the U.S. as well and some serious thanks
are in order here.
To all the troopers out there, you are deeply appreciated and yes even by
those you ticket "although they might not realize it at the time".
I MENT THEY ARE STAYING AT
I MENT THEY ARE STAYING AT RAMANDA INN. I SEE THEIR PATROL CARS IN THE PARKING LOT ( A LOT OF THEM). I DIDNT MEAN ANYTHING BAD ABOUT IT.
Alas, there is a large
Alas, there is a large criminal mentality, that has spread to America with the gigantic influx of people from across the Southern border. Americans are a compassionate people, but with the 12 to 40 million illegal alien occupation of our country has come the deranged filth of humanity. It doesn't seem to matter to many of our corrupt politicians, that amongst the cheap labor has come an inventory of unhinged, violent individuals.
The biased media will not reveal the ugly truth? About the incessant murders, female and child violations, the drunken drivers and the carnage that goes on in every community within our borders. It is only lately that the authorities have told us of interdiction of people from potential terrorist countries. Troopers, ICE agents, special police squads and anti-terrorst forces should get fully funded for duties, that might mean death without provocation. Politicians seem to ignore that their is a drug war, exploding out-of-control in some border states. When New Mexico Governor has nerve to say, that tourists are at no risk if they entered Mexico, is the height of incompetence.
That Each day their is an incessant small reports of (DUI) intoxicated illegal immigrants, not generally found in the national press. These incidents are mostly suppressed because of the current uproar about the illegal immigration invasion. Our courts are overworked, our jails and prisons full, so many of these individuals are released back into the general public again. Many receive a slap on the wrist and then go out on the roads, to ultimately kill innocent families.
As an example Special Order 40 in Los Angeles county has allowed violent gangs to propagates. This is far from an isolated incident, as the press does not elaborate that this goes on unfettered around the country. The unrestricted evidence about our open border and the pending Federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088) and the new Presidents AMNESTY.
This national law would also begin to remove criminal aliens from our society. It would give extra teeth to all immigration laws now on the books. Demand the SAVE ACT! (2022243121 ) Unsuppressed details at NUMBERSUSA.
Well I'll be damned. Here
Well I'll be damned.
Here I've been blaming the hip hop and rock and roll for all the problems.
Rap and Rcok and Roll is so
Rap and Rcok and Roll is so last century, Crunk.
Everyone knows it's the video games. Grand Theft Auto and Halo3 are going to destroy life as we know it.
/Oh, and the illegals. Especially the drunk ones.
Veni, Vidi, Velcro ---- I came, I saw, I stuck around......
the Ramanda Inn is where i
the Ramanda Inn is where i have seen the influx of DPS. of course i'm not out on the highway