Border security: Homeland Security official says Willacy in need of security funds

PORT MANSFIELD — Willacy County needs money to fight drug smugglers and potential terrorism at Port Mansfield, Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw said Wednesday.

“You’re in a unique area. You have the convergence of crime and the potential of terrorist countries smuggling people,” McCraw told county leaders after a tour of the port. “You’ve got drugs, you’ve got potential terrorism. You’re got weapons and money going south.”

Part of the county’s wish list included sheriff’s officials’ $600,000 request for a boat, a four-wheel drive vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle, Sheriff Larry Spence said.

Working without boats, sheriff’s officials count on the U.S. Coast Guard and Texas Fish and Wildlife agents to patrol the port, Spence said.

“I feel pleased with his reaction,” Spence said after McCraw’s meeting.

The Willacy County Navigation District presented a $175,000 request for a patrol boat and cameras to scan the harbor and jetty area, documents show.

The constable’s office also presented funding requests.

Of the state’s $110 million budget, $57 million goes into operations and capital, McCraw said.

“It’s clear and compelling,” McCraw said. “If we empower Willacy County, we’re helping the whole border area and the whole state. Clearly there’s a need. It’s clearly a gap. We’ve already identified a smuggling corridor — the ocean. In Willacy County, you have it by sea and by land.”

Like other counties along the U.S.-Mexico border, Willacy County’s funding requests will likely get high priority, McCraw said.

“We need to prioritize our funding based on threat and need,” McCraw said. “The border has got to be a priority. Everyone understands what you face is important to the state and the nation. There’s not one gang that’s not getting their drugs (from across the border). It’s all coming north.”