Local border security funds may increase
Some money pays officer overtime but not everyone is happy with patrol plan

BY GABE SEMENZA - GSEMENZA@VICAD.COM
January 05, 2009 - 12:45 a.m.

Local law enforcement might receive an estimated half-million dollars to fight border crimes that spill into Texas.

Critics, though, say this state-funded money lets local officers do a federal job.

The money would flow from Operation Border Star, a state program created 16 months ago to fund extra officers on the streets.

Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor is hopeful state lawmakers, who convene Jan. 13, will authorize the money.

"Nothing's a guarantee in the legislature, this we know. But I'm encouraged by this last round," O'Connor said.

In 2007, the Texas Legislature became the first to allocate funding - $110 million - for border security. The same amount is proposed this year - with an additional $24 million to fight transnational gangs.

The money funds most Texas law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers and Department of Public Safety, sheriff's offices and police departments.

"I think Border Star funding is a great tool for fighting narcotics interdiction," said Victoria Police Chief Bruce Ure. "This is only one component in the fight against drugs coming from Mexico."

Gov. Rick Perry urged state lawmakers to first authorize funding two years ago by citing dangerous Mexican drug cartels and their reach into the state.

Now, those cartels employ even greater violence, threatening national security, according to a federal report.

Since 2007, O'Connor's office received about $300,000 and Ure's, $100,000. Based on those figures, O'Connor expects $500,000 for both this year.

Both men said the funding primarily pays for overtime so officers can patrol the streets - increasing the chances of busting drug smugglers and even illegal immigrants, a group they turn into federal authorities.

Clara Ramos believes Border Star funding funnels money to the wrong hands.

"I've always had a problem with local law enforcement chasing illegals," said Ramos, a Victoria activist. "There are other things they need to do to protect our county. That's a federal problem. If federal agencies are shorthanded, give them more money."

O'Connor argues his deputies don't chase illegal immigrants. Law enforcement needs the money to chase the crimes funneled along county highways - crimes that just so happen to often involve illegal immigrants, he said.

Perry pushed for the first round of funding by also saying Homeland Security cannot exist without border security.

"I have taken this message to Washington, D.C. for the last several years, only to have it fall largely on deaf ears," Perry said in a statement late last year. "That's why I decided it was time for the state of Texas to take matters into our own hands."

Of the dozens filed, a few:

A bill to allow police to check immigration status based on "reasonable suspicion" and arrest those who are illegal.

A bill to require illegal immigrants to live in "sanctuary cities."

A bill to tax all money sent from Texas to Mexico by 8 percent - money to fund indigent care.
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