$4.3M in funds given to Webb County, Texas’ Sheriff’s Office for border security

Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar announced more than $4.3 million in federal funds to support border security in Webb County during an event held at the Webb County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

The funds will be used by the Sheriff’s Office to pay for overtime hours, operating expenses and new equipment — all resources necessary for the security of the community.

“Every year, the resources provided by the Stonegarden Program assist our local law enforcement in their efforts to protect our border community,” Cuellar said. “The funds provide new, updated equipment that is essential to improve operations, pay for operating expenses, and with money to pay for overtime hours, we can provide the necessary manpower to keep our community safe at all times.”

“Since 2008, I have secured more than $45 million in Operation Stonegarden funds for Webb County and delivered over $123 million in total OPSG funding. With my seat in Appropriations, I will continue to provide our local law enforcement with more federal funds to keep our South Texas communities safe and secure. I want to thank Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, as well as the local, state and federal officers for their commitment to helping to secure our southern border.”

Back in 2008, Rep. Cuellar helped create the Operation Stonegarden Program, which has been instrumental in funding efforts to secure the Southern Border. This program funds investments to secure the U.S. border along the routes of entry from Mexico with overtime pay, equipment and communications technology among more tools. These investments enhance security in communities along the border for a faster emergency response time.

“I thank the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Rep. Henry Cuellar for continuing to award us this grant. This funding sure goes a long way in helping us protect and secure our border,” Sheriff Martin Cuellar said. “We will continue with our quest in making sure Webb County and the City of Laredo is safe for all. … Whoever has the best technology is going to provide the best service, so as unified Law Enforcement agencies, we can provide the best unified presence and provide the best service for the community. The community deserves this.”

Rep. Cuellar also remarked how important it is to fund not only local law enforcement but also school police in campuses along the border as well as neighboring counties of Webb, as security is a communal work and everyone contributes to it [Chron.com].