Progreso Mayor Says City Needs More Police Officers
Reported by: Gary Parker
Last Update: 7:48 pm

PROGRESO - A border town is in crisis. There is the fear of spillover violence and almost no one patrolling the streets.

In English, the word Progreso means progress. Law enforcement there says progress isn't happening in its police department. More manpower is needed.

Mayor Omar Vela says Progreso is a small town with big city problems. It's under-resourced, with only one or two officers on duty each shift.

Interim Chief Alberto Rodriguez has seen everything in the border town. That includes drug traffickers and human smugglers. He does what he can to keep up.

"Just by taking it one step at a time and assistance from any agencies that require assistance," says Rodriguez.

Rodriguez relies on federal agencies as backup, like Border Patrol, DPS, sheriff's office and constables. He says they're effective, but he doesn't want to rely on them. He wants his own manpower.

"We’re short-handed at this time. Of course we need more support from grants and federal and state assistance. There's no doubt about it that we really do need them," says Rodriguez.

Progreso Mayor Omar Vela was unable to appear on camera. He told CHANNEL 5 NEWS the police need new equipment. They only rely on hand-me-downs.

He tells us the violence is hitting small businesses economically. Nobody goes to Mexico. Nobody passes by, and nobody is making any money. Progreso has no cash flow.

"It’s been very hard for us to start getting some assistance, some grants," says Rodriguez.

We spoke with some people who live there. Estra Perez says she feels safe in Progreso, but she's wary of border violence.

"It seems to be safe, but there's always a need for more law enforcement, especially now we're just across the border and all that's going on over there," says Perez.

Orjelio Latigo says police are ineffective.

"There is a lot of violence but there really hasn't been anybody standing up for the better good. There aren't any people who will listen to them either," says Latigo.

The department is applying for federal grants. They're not sure when or if they'll be approved. The need for that money is now.

Vela says Progreso has already received Homeland Security grants to pay officers overtime. He says he hopes new pending federal grants will buy new bulletproof vests and patrol cars. The main thing both Vela and Rodriguez want are more police to provide safety for the people who live there.

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