By Bill O'Neil
Just what border are they looking at? The question from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples after a new federal report finds things are getting safer along the border between Texas and Mexico.
In fact, the report finds violent and property crimes have been on the decrease in the border region over about the last decade. But Staples told 550 KTSA News the arrest numbers are eye-opening--with the Border Patrol taking nearly 100-thousand people in to custody in the Rio Grande Valley alone over the last year.
"Over half of those that were apprehended were from countries other than Mexico" Staples said. He also pointed to a proclamation in Chicago which he said further demonstrates more must be done to secure the border.
"When you have the Chicago Crime Commission naming a drug cartel kingpin as public enemy number one--you know we have a status that is unacceptable" Staples said. In his mind, the solution is simple--starting with letting law enforcement focus on the job it needs to do.
In fact, the report finds violent and property crimes have been on the decrease in the border region over about the last decade. But Staples told 550 KTSA News the arrest numbers are eye-opening--with the Border Patrol taking nearly 100-thousand people in to custody in the Rio Grande Valley alone over the last year.
"Over half of those that were apprehended were from countries other than Mexico" Staples said. He also pointed to a proclamation in Chicago which he said further demonstrates more must be done to secure the border.
"When you have the Chicago Crime Commission naming a drug cartel kingpin as public enemy number one--you know we have a status that is unacceptable" Staples said. In his mind, the solution is simple--starting with letting law enforcement focus on the job it needs to do.
"We need to allow those individuals to focus the badges and the bullets on the drug cartel members--and we need to use a modern system to allow for lawful entry in to our country."
