Sunday, May 25, 2008

Last Updated: 24 May 2008

LUPE: La Joya police need to stick to policing, not immigration matters

By Joey Gomez


La Unión del Pueblo Entero Director Juanita Valdez-Cox


LA JOYA, May 24 - Members of La Unión del Pueblo Entero say they are out to make sure local police officers do not overstep their efforts to keep the peace by acting as Border Patrol in the western communities of Hidalgo County.


Starting in La Joya on Friday, LUPE began a series of meetings with acting chiefs of local police departments to clarify enforcement procedures in an area that police say is well-known for drug trafficking, human smuggling, and immigration. LUPE also plans to meet with police chiefs in Peñitas, Palmview, and Mission.


“Is it being an officer for the safety and security of these residents in the area or is it to find out who is here without documents,â€