County to release nonviolent prisoners as Dolly looms

When menacing weather threatened Cameron County five years ago when Tropical Storm Claudette loomed, misdemeanor offenders who were either convicted or awaiting trial were released from jail facilities.

Now, Tropical Storm Dolly, expected Tuesday to develop into a hurricane, is threatening the Gulf Coast. And like then, as many as approximately 75 nonviolent and misdemeanor offenders will be released, Sheriff Omar Lucio said.

"These are people we can trust and they appreciate it," said Lucio, who noted that these offenders would have the opportunity to be with their families and help them.

Lucio said the offenders also have either been in jail for a long time or have only 30 to 60 days left to serve.

County Judge Carlos Cascos agreed with the move, expressing confidence that Lucio would take appropriate measures.

Cascos said that juvenile offenders were evacuated Tuesday to San Marcos facilities.

As of July 1, there were 1,335 prisoners in Cameron County's four jails, including the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center near Olmito, the Harrison Street facilities, Detention Center I and II and the old Cameron County jail.

Of the inmate population at the start of the month, there were 203 misdemeanor offenders that either were awaiting trial or had been convicted.

Miles away from the Sheriff's Department at the Brownsville Police Department, Chief Carlos Garcia was not facing the issue of prisoners in city cells.

"Every morning, arraignments are held," Garcia said, noting that offenders either are released or transferred to county facilities. "We don't keep prisoners in our cells," Garcia said.

eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com