Grant to identify potential gang members

Brownsville police are using a grant from the governor’s office for a new program aimed at identifying young men and women who are involved, or run the risk of becoming involved, in gangs, said police spokesman Detective Eddie Garcia.

The Gang Prevention and Coordination Initiative kicked off operations Tuesday night, he said.

“Gangs are a threat to Texas communities,” Gov. Rick Perry said when he announced the grant, “especially along the border, where drug cartels often use these young Texans to commit serious crimes, including human smuggling, robbery, assault, auto theft, drug trafficking, extortion, fraud, home invasions, identity theft, murder and weapons trafficking.

These funds will help these communities administer programs to keep young Texans out of the grips of these ruthless gangs, help them achieve a brighter future and protect our state.”

In order to prevent recruitment and to deter gang activity, police will work closely with the Brownsville Independent School District and other outside programs to identify, assess and monitor at-risk teenagers and provide them with needed supervision, counseling or other services, Garcia said.

In one night of operations, the officers made six arrests, three for drug possession and three for public intoxication. The six men were charged but also will probably be referred to an appropriate program, Garcia said.

“Hopefully after receiving help and with positive influence, the students will refrain from future gang involvement,” Garcia said.

The grant will pay for additional police officers to work certain shifts and specific areas in order to identify and deter at-risk teens.

In order not to affect regular police duties, the officers taking part in the program will work overtime hours. The money allotted from the grant is more than $250,000 and is expected to fund one year of operations.