SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT TO COMBAT SOUTHWEST BORDER VIOLENCE

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July 22, 2009 (San Diego)—San Diego County Sheriff William D. Gore announced Friday that of a $5 million federal grant to combat drug-related criminal activity along the international border. San Diego County shares a 60-mile border with Mexico, which begins at the Pacific Ocean and traverses rugged terrain to the Imperial County line. The grant, provided as part of stimulus funds under the Economic Recovery Act, identified two key project goals:

 

(1) Identify, apprehend, and/or deter those engaged in the smuggling of drugs, weapons, money, and human trafficking.

(2) Reduce drug-related crime and violence along the international border.

 

A 15-member team will be assembled to focus on drug-smuggling and border-related crime. In collaboration with regional, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department will combat drug smuggling and related violence by providing highly visible, uniformed patrol along the border and in border communities. The team will also support ongoing efforts of HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas), and the Regional Narcotics Task force. Two detectives will be assigned to HIDTA and two detectives, along with an analyst, will be assigned to develop information on these criminal endeavors.

 

Additionally, a Forensic Evidence Technician will be added to develop evidence linking firearms to border-related violent crimes and the addition of a Deputy District Attorney will facilitate timely and vertical prosecution of those apprehended.

 

The Law Enforcement Coordination Center (LECC), the Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center (RTTAC), and the Border Intelligence Center (BIC), will all be utilized to support intelligence-driven enforcement operations.

 

Sheriff Gore commented, “These funds are crucial to effectively combat border-related crime which is a constant in this region. We will enhance the ability to work with our local, state, and federal partners to provide better border security and reduce crime along the southwest border.”

 


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Comments

Sheriff Border Enforcement?

It will probably end up like the current Stone Garden increased Sheriff activity, federally funded, the past 6 mo. in the back country operation. Lots of overtime officers busting locals for no front license plates, expired registration, taillight out. Anyone heard about a big Stone Garden drug bust yet? Didn't think so.