http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cf ... 5626&rfi=6

01/21/2007
Sheriff's Office seeks to participate in border security program
Colin Guy
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram

Midland County Sheriff's deputies may soon be involved in efforts to stem the flow of illegal immigrants across the border and through the state, pending authorization by the Commissioners' Court Monday to request funding from the state.



Midland County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ed Krevitt said officials are hoping to participate in the Border Security Enhancement Operations Project, which provides grant money for counties to reimburse overtime expenses for additional officers to patrol traffic. Funding for the program is derived from federal grants administered by the Governor's Office Division of Emergency Management.


"What they were doing originally was providing overtime for border counties to help curb the tide of illegal immigrants," Krevitt said. "They've now expanded the program to include corridors such as I-10 and I-20."


Krevitt said if the grant proposal is approved there will be a "stretch of days" during which the Sheriff's Office can place an additional three deputies on duty for one 12-hour shift and an additional two deputies on duty during a subsequent 12-hour shift. He said the total funding request is for about $21,000.


A spokesman from the Governor's Office Division of Emergency Management told the Reporter-Telegram that due to security constraints they are unable to comment on the total amount of funding available statewide for the program or how many additional law enforcement personnel are expected to be out on patrol during its implementation.