Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry

Section Three: Background on Texas Border Security Operations
In August 2005, serious crime in the unincorporated areas along the Texas/Mexico border was on the
rise. The rate of index crime had increased by over 17 percent, while crime in other areas of the state had
decreased by 2 percent. This was a direct result of drug and human smuggling operations being conducted
across the Texas/Mexico border, supported by former military commandos and violent transnational gangs.
Law enforcement was also concerned about the escalation of the number of illegal aliens from terrorismrelated
countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia being apprehended
after crossing the Rio Grande River.
The Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition requested state assistance to help them restore order and better
protect their citizens. In November 2005, Governor Perry provided $9.8 million in state funds to support
“Operation Linebacker” to quickly increase local patrol resources in high threat areas.
In February 2006, the Governor set forth a four-part plan to increase border security and reduce all crime
in the Texas border counties. The Governor’s border strategy framework included:
increased local and state patrols;
centralized coordination of patrol operations;
centralized intelligence to drive operations; and
leveraged technology.
The State established the Border Security Operations Center and later six unified command structures
referred to as Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers located in six security sectors (El Paso, Big Bend,
Del Rio, Laredo, McAllen, and the Coastal Bend). High intensity, short duration operations were conducted
initially in one security sector at a time. During the duration of these operations, local law enforcement
agencies reported crime reductions ranging from 25 percent to as high as 75 percent as smuggling operations
decreased. The State later expanded these operations to conduct multiple security- sector operations at
the same time and for longer durations.
The cornerstone of the Governor’s strategy was to substantially increase the patrol presence along the
Texas/Mexico border. Governor Perry used various discretionary grants to increase local and state patrol
capacity along the border through overtime, personnel and equipment such as vehicles and weapons. The
Governor also committed National Guard troops to support border security operations.
There is compelling empirical evidence to demonstrate that this strategy was successful 4 . Since these
operations began in late November 2005, the index crime in the unincorporated areas of the border counties
(9 percent of the Texas/Mexico border) was reduced by 65 percent and the illegal alien apprehensions
were reduced by 45 percent, as of the third quarter of 2007. There is also evidence to indicate that these
border security operations are in part responsible for the disruption of the U.S. drug supply from Mexico.
The cost of drugs that enter Texas through Mexico, such as cocaine, has increased while the purity has
decreased indicating an impact on the drug supply in the U.S. However, substantial border vulnerabilities
remain, and there is much more work to be done before the border will be secured from all threats, as
there has been an underinvestment in border security for decades.
4 See Appendix E, charts v, vi, vii that detail the change in index crime, illegal alien apprehensions and cost of drugs.
Section Three: Background on Texas Border Security Operations