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Operation Wrangler -- Bordering on Success 03 May 2007 #89
Operation Wrangler -- Bordering on Success
By Dr Dave McIntyre, Director, Integrative Center for Homeland Security, 03 May 2007
Some solutions to illegal immigration divide not only the US from Mexico, but Americans among themselves. However, everyone agrees that improving safety and security in our communities is a good idea. Now a new law enforcement program borne of concerns over illegal immigration is paying off with reductions in crime. I will tell you more, if you will give me Just a Minute for Homeland Security.
I’m Dave McIntyre, Director of the Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M.
In the run up to last year’s elections, many Texas voters demanded that something be done about improving community security where illegal immigration is high. And thus began Operation Wrangler.
Wrangler was launched in January 2007 as the latest in a long line of state efforts to compensate for federal failure to control the border. But instead of adding a few more resources along the border itself, the state plan surged large numbers of people and equipment into just a few counties at a time. And I do mean large numbers. More than 6,800 law enforcement and National Guard personnel are involved, along with 2,200 vehicles, 48 helicopters, 33 aircraft, and 35 patrol boats. [1] Other state agencies are involved, too – like the Department of Transportation, and the Parks and Wildlife Department. They are cooperating with private organizations like the Texas Civil Air Patrol and the Cattleman’s Association. And numerous federal agencies are included in the effort, like the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Post Office. The focus of the surge is not patrolling the border, but reducing all crime – with a focus on drug trafficking and human smuggling. The surge started with 18 border counties, but will eventually include 90 sheriff’s departments and police from 133 cities and towns. The results so far are impressive.
During April, the focus on three counties around El Paso reduced overall crime by 30 percent compared to the same period last year. The El Paso Sheriff’s Office reported an 82 percent reduction in aggravated assaults and 43 percent reduction in robberies. The El Paso police reported robberies down 16 percent and sexual assaults down 26 percent. And there is some evidence that the impact will last. In the wake of a more modest program of law enforcement surges last year, crime in border counties remains down 20 percent over all. [2]
The relationship between crime and illegal immigration is not clear. The immigrants are not necessarily committing the crimes – many are victims themselves. [3] But the gangs that bring them across the border spawn other illegal activities. Greater law enforcement presence reduces that threat.
This is Dave McIntyre from the Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M, inviting you to join us again next week for Just a Minute . . . for Homeland Security.
[1] Gary Scharrer, “Border to get armed Guard,”MySa.com (Express-News San Antonio), 01/22/2007, http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA012307.01A.perry_troops.1c1a1fa.html
[2] _____, “Texas Border Security Surge Operations” Continued Success, Government Technology, April 26, 2007, http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php/105183
[3] Brandi Grissom, “Border blitz cut El Paso crime 30% Perry says,” elpasotimes.com, 04/25/2007, http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_5743811