Texas House Bill HCR125

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Introduced: 3/20/09
• Refer: 3/23/09
• Report Pass: 3/30/09
• Refer: 4/27/09

Caption

Urging the U.S. Congress to increase COPS grants for smaller communities and less populated counties in the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

Impact

If enacted, HCR125 would serve as a formal request from the Texas Legislature to the U.S. Congress to allocate more resources to communities that lack the tax base to sustain adequate policing. The significance of the resolution lies in its focus on operationalizing local law enforcement needs through increased funding for police salaries, school resource officers, and necessary technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities. The action aims to address the challenges posed by transnational gangs and drug smuggling operations that heavily influence safety in these sparsely populated regions.

Summary

HCR125 is a concurrent resolution introduced by Representative Guillen, which urges the U.S. Congress to increase Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants specifically for smaller communities and less populated counties within the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). This resolution arises in response to the escalating crime rates and public safety threats posed by drug trafficking and associated violence in the region, which is significantly impacted by organized crime from Mexico. The bill underscores the dire need for additional federal funding to bolster law enforcement efforts in these vulnerable areas.

Contention

While the resolution itself does not introduce statutory changes, it brings attention to the existing challenges in law enforcement funding and community safety in the South Texas HIDTA. Notable contentions might arise around the allocation of federal resources and whether an increase in such funding could effectively mitigate the crime levels or merely serve as a temporary relief without addressing the root causes of drug-related violence. Furthermore, discussions may also touch upon the broader implications of immigration and drug policies as they relate to community safety standards.