Gov. says Border Sheriffs are our first line of defense.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas We know what needs to occur and it is more boots on the ground better use of technology ... lets quit playing around" said Texas Governor Rick Perry earlier this week after meeting President Obama at the Austin airport and
visiting with sheriffs from Texas border communities
.
We dont need to be briefed anymore on border security we need action.
These sheriffs ... and for that matter this governor ... doesnt need to be briefed by the federal government anymore on border security.
For more details & quoted comments ...
Washington has been an abject failure at securing the border leaving it vulnerable to exploitation and our citizens exposed to grave danger" said Gov. Perry.
An unsecured US-Mexico border is a serious national security threat menacing the safety & security of our citizens and the federal government is obligated to secure it.
The linchpin of our border security strategy is represented here today by these sheriffs who bravely stand between Texas citizens and the drug cartels transnational gangs and special interest aliens that continually probe and test our border" Perry said.
Our citizens deserve the best possible effort to protect them from this advancing network of criminal gangs" said Perry.
Perry earlier this week greeted President Obama on the tarmac at Austin Bergstrom Airport as the president exited Air Force One while visiting Texas for a series of political fundraisers.
The governor presented President Obama with a four-page letter outlining his concerns about the state of border security and the growing threats posed by drug cartels and transnational gangs.
Drug cartels and related forces are waging war in Northern Mexico. Since 2006 this war has taken 28000 lives" Perry wrote in the letter.
We cannot afford to allow these cartels to believe theyre free to extend their reach across the border onto American soil" Perry said.
Gov. Perry also reiterated his request for 1000 Title 32 National Guard troops to be deployed in Texas along with an increase in other resources.
Governor discusses border security issues with border sheriffs
Gov. Rick Perry also met with border sheriffs this week to discuss border security issues facing their communities.
With all the resources we can put at their disposal these law enforcement personnel constitute our first line of defense against the growing drug-related
violence that is tearing apart northern Mexico."
Since 2009 Gov. Perry has repeatedly urged the federal government through conversations with and letters to President Barack Obama Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to approve his request for 1000 Title 32 National Guardsmen to support civilian law enforcement efforts to enhance border security in Texas.
On Monday
Perry reiterated that request in the four-page letter he presented to President Obama as he arrived for an appearance in Austin.
Texas has committed more than $230 million over the last several years to amplify border security efforts and to shut down transnational gangs that work for Mexican drug cartels.
