(Seguin) – The Seguin Police Department is joining a long list of law enforcement agencies that are working to curb illegal immigration issues in Texas.
The Seguin City Council on Tuesday approved the police department’s participation in an interlocal cooperative agreement with other agencies involved with Operation Lone Star.
SPD Lt. Cobey Crow says that border related crime has had an adverse impact on Texas. He says roadways that run through Seguin are being used by criminals who have come across the southern border. Crow says the police department’s participation in the program will allow local officers, when available, to assist other agencies with the fight against some of these illegal activities.
“We are going to assist these other agencies, that are already involved in the border initiative, that Governor (Greg) Abbott has already started. It is more of a working group. There is no obligation. Our city attorney has looked over the agreement, and there is no obligation. It’s just something that if these other agencies — they do projects, or you might want to call them operations, once a month and if they need assistance, then they will contact all these agencies. If we can, we can send one officer, two officers, (or) whatever we can handle. At no time is it taking away from patrol or from the citizens of our city. It’s just again if we can help, we can help. And it’s the same thing with us. If we decide to have an operation because we have something going on here in the city, then we can ask for help from them and they will also send officers or deputies,” said Crow.
Crow says problems with illegal immigration are already occurring in Seguin. He says over the last year, they’ve encountered several cases involving crimes committed by people who have entered the country illegally. Crow says human trafficking is one of their major concerns.
“We have arrested 20 people suspected of human smuggling. We have transferred custody of over 39 individuals from different nationalities, 18 Mexican nationals, 14 Honduran nationals, seven Guatemalan nationals, and then some other ones that they would not say where they’re from. So, our community is just like thousands of other communities here in Texas. We have this issue and we’re just trying our best to assist — first and foremost our city and then any of these other agencies that might require it,” said Crow.
In pooling their resources, Crow says this will help the agencies share intelligence, and help them better coordinate criminal interdiction efforts as they fight against human trafficking and illegal narcotics.
A large group of law enforcement agencies have already signed up for the program. The Seguin PD will now be added to that list, which includes sheriff’s office and police departments in Bee County, Brooks County, Cuero, Edna, Falfurrias, Goliad County, Kingsville, Kleberg County, Live Oak County, McMullen County, Nixon, Refugio County, San Patricio County, Wharton County, Wilson County, Yoakum, Gonzales County, Gonzales, Jackson County, Aransas County, Zapata County, Duval County, and Hallettsville.