Posted on 08/18/2006 5:20:55 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
RIO BRAVO — Hours after presenting 10 police vehicles recently donated to the city, the mayor and chief of police traveled to Austin on Thursday to lobby for funds to create a police force.City officials expect that in less than three months, the police cars donated by order of Gov. Rick Perry will patrol the streets in this small city of about 8,000 residents.
Mayor Juan Gonzalez, along with Chief of Police Rene Cervantes and city commissioners Manuel Arnero and Carlos Velasquez, presented the vehicles to the public on Thursday.
Soon after the press conference, Gonzalez and Cervantes traveled to Austin to meet with Texas Homeland Security Director Steven McCraw. Both officials expected to convince McCraw of the need to channel funds to this city to pay salaries for nine police officers and other departmental expenses. Cervantes’ security plan for Rio Bravo is to have patrols 24 hours a day.
During the press conference, Gonzalez stressed the importance of Perry’s decision to help the city.
“Governor Perry and McCraw are worried about the wave of violence that affects the border,” he said.
Arnero said the community already feels more secure because the streets will be protected.
The 10 vehicles, which include nine black-and-white cars and one pickup truck, were displayed in the parking lot at City Hall. Officials showed the audience that the vehicles were in working condition by turning on the vehicles and their sirens.
Some residents driving by the press conference honked in approval of the new city vehicles.
(Miguel Timoshenkov may be reached at (956) 728-2583 or by e-mail at timo1@lmtonline.com)
Rio Bravo Ping!
Yup, make everyone else in Texas pay for your city! That's the New American way. One day the big pot will go dry and I wonder what will happen then. Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie....
Gee, maybe the legislature can just up the taxes on a pack of cigarettes from the upcoming $1.43 cents a pack to $2.50, and then smokers can pay for free police cars for every town in TX.
Government begets Government
Yet, "Arnero said the community already feels more secure because the streets will be protected." Sure as hell doesn't take much to make those poor bast*ds happy!
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