Constable Prepare for Agents' Departure

VIDEO AT SOURCE

Posted: Sep 30, 2014

HIDALGO COUNTY - A constable is preparing for any possible changes as federal agents temporarily assigned to the Rio Grande Valley leave the region.

Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Constable Lazaro Gallardo said the surge helped. Still long-term law enforcement is a local responsibility.

"It's all our responsibility," Gallardo said.

Dozens of Border Patrol agents will leave the region Wednesday. Gallardo said the departure may have an impact on some aspects of law enforcement.

"The wait time for Border Patrol to respond to somebody we got detained may take, instead of 10 minutes, may take 30 minutes," he said.

National Guard troops and additional state troopers also may leave the region soon.

"You've got to understand that it has made a big impact in the Valley," Gallardo said.

Gallardo said he and his 16 deputies are ready to pick up the slack.

"We just need to be more proactive, by on the offensive and try to stop some of that stuff," he said.

http://www.krgv.com/news/constable-p...nts-departure/