Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
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Section Five: Recommendations<br />
12<br />
Recommendation:<br />
Establish a crime mapping capability in <strong>the</strong> border region that includes index and all o<strong>the</strong>r crimes, to<br />
include Customs and <strong>Border</strong> Protection arrest and drug seizure data by location, date, and time.<br />
Discussion:<br />
All crime data, including vandalism, trespassing and federal and state arrests and drug seizures, is<br />
essential for identifying patterns and trends to proactively address evolving threats and to assess<br />
operations. The data should be updated daily to support <strong>the</strong> unified decision-making process.<br />
C. Audit Measures<br />
Recommendation:<br />
Continue to conduct 100 percent audits <strong>of</strong> border security funding. The <strong>Governor</strong>’s Division <strong>of</strong><br />
Emergency Management (GDEM) should continue to audit all state grant funds authorized by <strong>the</strong><br />
Texas Legislature to support border security.<br />
Discussion:<br />
100 percent audits will ensure optimal internal controls to minimize waste, fraud, and abuse <strong>of</strong> Texas<br />
taxpayer dollars. The Texas Department <strong>of</strong> Public Safety Division <strong>of</strong> Emergency Management (DEM)<br />
currently uses audit mechanisms from <strong>the</strong> various publications: U.S. Government Accountability<br />
<strong>Office</strong>, “Government Accounting Standards – GAO 17-7 1G”, July 2007 Revision; Uniform Grant<br />
Management Standards; OMB Circular A-1 ; and Standard Operating Procedures for Audit <strong>of</strong> <strong>Border</strong><br />
<strong>Security</strong> Enhancement Operations Reimbursement.<br />
These standard audit mechanisms ensure that all funds distributed are properly monitored and<br />
accounted for.<br />
D. Funding Recommendations<br />
Recommendation:<br />
Sustain funding for border operations at <strong>the</strong> state level.<br />
Discussion:<br />
Because funding for state led border operations has been successful in decreasing and deterring<br />
crime, <strong>the</strong> State should continue to fund operations at <strong>the</strong> state level. <strong>Border</strong> security funding should<br />
be used to support closely-coordinated, intelligence-driven patrol operations that utilize technology<br />
to maximize <strong>the</strong>ir impact. This could include:<br />
Overtime for local and state personnel involved in border operations.<br />
Funding to pay reserve deputies.<br />
Travel costs for personnel temporarily deployed to <strong>the</strong> border region.<br />
Operational costs such as fuel and maintenance for patrol vehicles, boats, and aircraft.<br />
Technology such as video surveillance, license plate readers, information sharing, and radio<br />
communications interoperability.<br />
Six Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> Operations Center.<br />
Equipment used to support border operations and patrols.