Thread: Sheriff says border violence worsening

MISSION, Texas -- Drug and smuggling gangs controlling Mexican border territory are proving an increasingly violent and sophisticated threat to Texas border law enforcement, Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzales told a state Senate committee Wednesday.

"The weapons we possess are like water guns compared to what they have," Gonzales said. "They're trying to scare us away from the border."

Gonzales, representing the Texas Border Sheriffs' Coalition, was one of more than a dozen witnesses testifying before the Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security. The panel was in South Texas for a hearing on border security and funding for sheriffs along the border.

Gonzales said federal efforts to protect the U.S. side of the border have failed, allowing foreign criminals to infiltrate Texas counties _ in some cases just to commit violent crimes before slipping back into Mexico.

"Many murders committed in Laredo were committed by Mexican gang members," he said. "(Improvised Explosive Devices) seized in Laredo, we think were being brought to Mexico to be used against us."

Laredo is in Webb County, just west of Zapata County. Gonzales said that in his own county, residents have reported men marching two abreast, carrying backpacks and automatic weapons. He recounted the barrage of gunfire coming at Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies from across the Rio Grande this month.

"It's not just illegal immigrants," he said. "Something more frightening is happening."

Steve McCraw, the governor's director of homeland security, said: "I call them organized crime. They're no longer traffickers."

Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, said the committee must ensure sure state funds newly dedicated to help border sheriffs were well-used.

Hinojosa asked Gov. Rick Perry in May to create rules on how the sheriffs can spend the $367,500 awarded to each of 16 border counties under Perry's "Operation Linebacker."

His letter to Perry expressed concern that El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego was using grant money to run roadblocks and raids aimed at ferreting out illegal immigrants. Samaniego has denied that, saying his department's checkpoints were part of a traffic safety program.

"There are allegations of abuse," Hinojosa said. "And the governor has requested about $100 million next session to continue funding Operation Linebacker."

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said the panel also is concerned about National Guard deployment to assist the Border Patrol, which was called for by President Bush but is being directed by border state governors.

"We want to make sure they serve their purpose without impeding rights," she said.

Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa testified that the deployment was perceived as a militarization, which could be upsetting to Mexican businessmen and shoppers who have made the Rio Grande Valley one of the top performing retail areas in the United States.

When Van De Putte asked how the Valley could maintain that status, Gilberto Hinojosa said, "We certainly don't do it by sending in the National Guard."

He said he was appeased by the news that the Guard was being used for non-patrol functions, such as monitoring surveillance cameras or dismantling vehicles during drug searches. But he said no one had communicated that to him directly before Wednesday.

John David Franz, mayor of the border city of Hidalgo, said he was concerned his police officers might be asked to do immigration functions, such as checking for identification.

"As a taxpayer, I don't want them in the business of who is an illegal immigrant and who is not," he said. "We should not make our law enforcement immigration officials."

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"The weapons we possess are like water guns compared to what they have," Gonzales said. "They're trying to scare us away from the border."

These actions should be considered an act of war!

Impeach BOOSH. He really sucks.

What a bunch of mumbling whimpey useless stupid legislators. Get some help down there asap, serious help. This is infuriating! It's a freakin war zone and they talk, talk, talk and don't do anything! Is anyone in government tough anymore?

Is anyone in government tough anymore?

Tancredo, Hayworth, Steve King and Poe. I can't say anyone else comes to mind.