Thread: Border sheriffs plead with lawmakers for funds

Border sheriffs plead with lawmakers for funds

Web Posted: 04/24/2007 05:59 PM CDT

Gary Martin
Express-News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – Southwest sheriffs frustrated with federal efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border pleaded with Bush administration officials and lawmakers for funds to lessen the local burden of fighting drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

“I think the sheriffs are frustrated that this is going kind of slow,” said Joe Pollock, president of the Sheriff's Association of Texas. “The local taxpayers don't have the money to afford it. The federal government does.”

Pollock, sheriff of Burnet County, was joined by two dozen law enforcement officers representing 26 counties in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Tuesday's meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and other Bush administration officials was arranged by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who have worked with the Southwest Border Sheriff's Coalition to fight crime and improve border security without impeding trade.

It was the first time the coalition of sheriffs met with Chertoff. He has made numerous trips to the border to hear complaints first hand about the lack of funds.

“It's important to hear some of their front-line observations,” Chertoff said.

A $12 million grant through the Department of Homeland Security was made available last year to the four Southwest states to help offset local costs.

Texas received $3 million to hire personnel and assist with federal agencies.

Chertoff said additional grant money was available from the Border Patrol to help train local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws, a controversial proposal that has drawn criticism from border police departments.

Maverick County Sheriff Tomas Herrera from Eagle Pass said he is seeking federal help to pave 53 miles of rural road that parallels the Rio Grande south of El Indio. Response times are too long in that area and create a public safety concern for ranchers and residents near the border.

“We want to see if there is money available to pave that road,” Herrera said following the meeting with Chertoff.

Herrera and other Texas sheriffs are scheduled to meet Wednesday with Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, who is writing legislation that would authorize $150 million in grants over five years for state and local law enforcement agencies along the border.

The funds would be used for hiring personnel, training, or equipment, said Rodriguez, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Rodriguez said border law enforcement face “unique challenges” and are often called to respond to incidents that “a three-person police department can adequately handle.”

The grants would be doled out by the Department of Homeland Security.

Cornyn is seeking $50 million for border law enforcement, and continued funding of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, an annual allotment to reimburse states and local governments for detaining illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/ ... 5b407.html

Tuesday's meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and other Bush administration officials was arranged by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who have worked with the Southwest Border Sheriff's Coalition to fight crime and improve border security without impeding trade.

"Not interfer with impeding trade", Ya wouldn't want to be impeding the flow of drugs or illegal alien smugglers. Another pilfering of taxpayer funds.
Just think all they had to do was give the national guard guns or bring in the Marines, they are already being paid to secure and protect our country, but know then they could not scam the people for untold or unaccountable never ending funds. Just like Iraq and Haliburton!!