Commissioners Court Meeting

Issue viewing agenda items? Click here to switch to the old format.

Return to the Minutes Page

Meeting Date:	04/09/2018
FY 2017 OPSG Grant Application
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the submission of a grant application as prepared and submitted by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Constable Pct. 1, Constable Pct. 2, Constable Pct. 3, and Constable Pct. 4 to Office of the Governor Homeland Security Grants Division (HSGD) for a Fiscal Year 2017 Operation Stonegarden (FY ’17 OPSG) grant in the amount of $2,096,186 for overtime, one (1) part-time/backfill deputy constable, applicable fringe benefits, equipment, mileage, data services, maintenance/repair of OPSG acquired assets, and other operational costs related to homeland security border operations; and authorizing the Webb County Judge to execute all relevant documents related to this grant; and any other matters incident thereto. Furthermore, this grant does not require any type of match; and, thus, will have no impact to the general fund. All required documents were sent for review through the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff]

Issue: Complex and dynamic law enforcement challenges exist in the Southwest border area of the United States, including Laredo/Webb County. For example, transnational criminals seek to exploit existing law enforcement jurisdictional boundaries by conducting their illegal enterprises across traditional jurisdictional divisions. The 2014 Texas Gang Threat Assessment expounds, “Gang activity remains widespread throughout all regions of Texas…Gang activity is also prevalent in the Texas counties adjacent to Mexico and along the key smuggling corridors, since Texas-based gangs are used for cross-border smuggling and trafficking in the state. Many transnational gangs operating in Texas….engage in criminal activity in Mexico as well as in Texas and elsewhere” (Texas Department of Public Safety April 2014).

Solution: Grant application: (1) to ensure first responders are equipped with enhanced tools/equipment/resources needed to confront well-funded criminal organizations and (2) for the coordination of law enforcement efforts between various local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Result: Enhanced capabilities of local law enforcement responders; further coordination of response across local and federal jurisdictions.

Background:

The Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) grant provides funding to designated counties/localities to enhance cooperation and coordination between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the U.S. borders along routes of ingress from international borders to include travel corridors in states bordering Mexico and Canada, as well as states and territories with International water borders. In conjunction with the Laredo Police Department, the Laredo Airport Police, the Offices of the Constables Pct. 1, 2, 3, 4, and the U.S. Border Patrol-Laredo Sector, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office will utilize funding for border security operations, including law enforcement overtime (OT) operations and the purchase of needed law enforcement equipment.

Previous Court Action:

The submission and acceptance of this grant by the Webb County Sheriff's Office is approved by the Webb County Commissioners’ Court on a yearly basis.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	To Be Determined
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	Not Applicable
Financial Impact:
$2 million estimated grant funding for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office and the Offices of the Constables, Pct. 1-4. Furthermore, this grant does not require any type of match; and, thus, will have no impact to the general fund.