Thread: Mesilla, Texas mayor responds to racial profiling allegations

Mesilla mayor responds to racial profiling allegations

kfoxtv.com By Bernadette Flores

El Paso, TX — Mesilla mayor Nora Barraza is confident her police force is doing nothing illegal.

”I have spoken with him and he assures me racial profiling is not happening in the field,” said Barraza at a press conference on Friday night. She’s referring to allegations made against the Mesilla Marshalls office by LULAC’s immediate past state director, Paul Martinez.

Martinez sent Barraza a letter three weeks ago, asking her to look into allegations the marshalls are pulling over people for how they look.

Barraza said she only recently looked at the letter and is confident in her law enforcement team.

“Its one thing if they’re doing something illegal, but it's another to simply be pulled over for no reason,” said Martinez.

Marshall Jeff Gray said comments he made at a recent trustee meeting were taken out of context.

In those meeting minutes, he’s quoted as saying “ we’re an extension of the border patrol,” referring to his department.

“Every law enforcement agency is an extension of other law enforcement agencies, but we only enforce state laws,” said Gray.

Martinez is hoping to sit down with Barraza and investigate these allegations.

Mesilla mayor responds to racial profiling allegations | www.kfoxtv.com

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