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
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Section 1: Program Description<br />
I. Overview<br />
A. The <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> Equipment and Technology (BSET) Grant Program, hereinafter referred to as BSET,<br />
is state-funded grant program administered by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Governor</strong>’s Division <strong>of</strong> Emergency Management<br />
(GDEM) for such border security expenditures as training, equipment, and technology acquisition by<br />
state and local law enforcement agencies.<br />
B. The BSET is a one-time grant opportunity. This package provides <strong>the</strong> formal grant guidance and<br />
application materials needed to apply for funding under <strong>the</strong> BSET Grant Program, including <strong>the</strong> BSET<br />
eligibility criteria, detailed application requirements, and application review information.<br />
C. GDEM is responsible for <strong>the</strong> management and administration <strong>of</strong> all funds provided through this<br />
award and is accountable for all <strong>the</strong> deadlines, requirements, and limitations <strong>of</strong> this award. GDEM is<br />
responsible for obligating BSET funds to eligible pass-through recipients, as well as for overseeing and<br />
monitoring <strong>the</strong> activity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se sub-recipients.<br />
II. Source <strong>of</strong> Funds<br />
State funds are made available for this program by Article IX, Section 19.69(c) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2008-2009 General<br />
Appropriations Act to provide for such border security expenditures as training, equipment, and technology<br />
acquisition. These are not federal dollars.<br />
III. Background<br />
The State <strong>of</strong> Texas has an urgent security challenge caused by <strong>the</strong> increased threat from organized crime,<br />
terrorism, and <strong>the</strong>ir allies that is exacerbated by <strong>the</strong> continued flow <strong>of</strong> illegal immigrants. These threats<br />
will continue to threaten <strong>the</strong> security <strong>of</strong> Texas and <strong>the</strong> United States for <strong>the</strong> foreseeable future. Organized<br />
criminal, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration activities originating and transiting from Mexico to <strong>the</strong><br />
United States and Texas will continue until <strong>the</strong> air, land, and sea transit areas are secured. Criminal activities,<br />
including drugs and human smuggling, are extensive in <strong>the</strong> border regions and within <strong>the</strong> transportation<br />
corridors from <strong>the</strong> borders to major metropolitan areas.<br />
IV. Goal<br />
The <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> Equipment and Technology (BSET) grant will facilitate <strong>the</strong> acquisition and deployment<br />
<strong>of</strong> law enforcement technology as a means to help law enforcement agencies secure <strong>the</strong> border and<br />
counter border centric crime.<br />
V. Project Objectives<br />
The BSET objectives are:<br />
To deter crime along <strong>the</strong> Texas-Mexico border and improve border security for <strong>the</strong> safety <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
citizens <strong>of</strong> Texas and her guests.<br />
To capture metrics on criminal activity and <strong>the</strong> effectiveness <strong>of</strong> law enforcement equipment and/or<br />
technology.<br />
<br />
To enhance <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> law enforcement equipment and/or technology by <strong>the</strong> capturing, codifying,<br />
and sharing <strong>of</strong> best practices and concepts <strong>of</strong> operations.<br />
Appendix D: BSET Grant Guidance and Application Kit