High-tech tools needed to fight smugglers, sheriff says
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To report suspicious activity call the Victoria Sheriffs Office at: 361-575-0651
Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor says he knows immigrant smuggling is now a high-tech network.
Recently, he has doubled his efforts to persuade congressional members to fund the technology that can track cell phones and GPS systems of organized smugglers - the same tools that criminals are using to monitor and dodge law enforcement.
"They are in the business of deception and we are hampered in our resources," O'Connor said.
The need for better equipment came to a head Friday during an all-day pursuit of two vehicles evading the law.
At least 15 suspected illegal immigrants fled from officials on U.S. Highway 77, near Fordtran. And they still have not been caught.
A Victoria County Sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a white heavy-duty truck about 9 a.m. because it was missing a
license plate, but the driver of that truck and the driver of a black truck following close behind fled, leading officers on a chase on rough terrain and through fence lines, said O'Connor.
The black vehicle drove north toward Lavaca County, and the deputy pursued the white truck south toward Victoria.
The high-speed chase involving the Victoria Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Victoria Fire Marshal and the Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden continued for more than three hours. About noon Friday, residents reported seeing 15 people run across the highway. But even with the assistance of a Department of Public Safety helicopter, officers were unable to catch them, O'Connor said.
Smugglers who transport people and drugs often drive through fields and then re-trace their tracks, trying to mislead authorities, O'Connor said.
They also resort to back roads and cut through private properties, damaging fences and other items, he said. Although it can double or triple travel times, back roads and brush-filled areas decrease visibility for helicopters and ground pursuit vehicles.
"I wish I could put a moat around Victoria, and just protect the waters," O'Connor said. "It is a problem and we need to fight it, and we will need to keep on being super aggressive."
Pursuing suspected illegal immigrants is a complex humanitarian issue, O'Connor said.
People being smuggled are often put in dangerous situations, not to mention the welfare and property of ranchers who are endangered and the safety of deputies when they approach vehicles they stop.
"Do I want to catch them?" O'Connor asked. "Every single time. Give me the tools and the proper capabilities and we will."
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@onestar The Sheriff (it's not spelled sherrif, by the way) does not need to ease up. He is doing what we elected him to do; and those "local jokal deputies" put themselves at risk daily to protect the citizens of this county. Furthermore, who are you to say those high speed pursuits are more dangerous than the outcome might be if the individual(s) weren't pursued? Sounds like you're just talking to make noise.
@GOP_LoveChild So you are saying there is no need for law enforcement to evolve at the same rate as the individuals perpetrating crimes? Just imagine how effective deputies would be if they were still riding horseback. There is every need to evolve up to and even past the level of crime.
@abovblo and bighorn ...... Really? Y'all are against local LAW ENFORCEMENT being involved in the pursuit of ILLEGAL immigrants? Is all of Victoria ignorant to the meaning of the word ILLEGAL? It means NOT LEGAL, AGAINST THE LAW. So no, nobody is overstepping their responsibilities or authority in this matter. And spare us your comments about these so called "possible abuses on local populace."
When local law enforcement fails to do their jobs, I'm sure y'all are the first to complain and cry and moan, yet argue about giving law enforcement the tools it needs to succeed. This kind of wide-spread hypocrisy is running rampant through our town and needs to be quelled! Either support our local law enforcement and the job they're doing, or stay quiet and out of their way!
October 19, 2011 at 10:36 a.m.I don't want our local county law enforcement to be overly involved in illegal alien pursuit, interstate drug trafficking, or other federal responsibilities. We are spending a fortune in US tax dollars for various agencies (with poor results) as it is.
Typically, O'Connor is overstepping his responsibilities and authority with this agenda. To say nothing of the possibilities of his department's possible abuses on local populace.
October 17, 2011 at 7:59 a.m.My goodness. Illegals? A bunch of punk kids were on a burgulary spree this summer. Stole from many and the sheriff's department where were they? Probably chasing illegals. O'conner you need to spend time in rounding up the hood punks out there. Runs me hot that we talk about Illegals, when we can't even take care of what is already in Victoria county.
October 17, 2011 at 7:21 a.m.@GOP Lovechild -- any effort to curtail the drug trade is liking poking a stick in the ballon. You make a dent there, but it spreads out elsewhere along the ballon. That said, making an effort here does make Victoria relatively better off and safer as long as you continue that effort.
October 16, 2011 at 11:55 p.m.About a year ago, there was a gathering in Victoria at the gazebo. The people there were protesting Arizona s laws that were cracking down on ilegals.
I noticed along with the demonstrators were at least 2 Catholic nuns holding up signs asking for equality for the illegals. I saw this clip on the Vicad.
I wonder how harsh those nuns were discilplined by Rome because they were publickly suporting something that is against our laws & soverinty.
October 16, 2011 at 10:12 p.m.Toys and gadgets haven't stop the drug trade and they won't stop human trafficking.
October 16, 2011 at 8:33 p.m.onestar, I dont think the Sheriff nor anyone else has intentions of listening to your conversations on your cell phone. What he is talking about is knowing the location using GPS technology on the smugglers cell phone, I think its a good idea. I think the 18 wheeler woud be a necessity if we ever have a natural disaster in this area, its mobile and could travel to any surrounding county if needed. The Sheriff is doing a good job in preparing far early for any unforeseeable disaster that comes our way.
October 16, 2011 at 9:02 a.m.The sherrif needs to ease up. I do not want some local jokal deputy with the capacity to monoter my cell phone conversations. Also the sherrif's high speed chases only endanger local citizens an should stop before a bus load of kids gets hit.
October 16, 2011 at 7:29 a.m.By the way why in he*** does the sheriff's department need an eighteen wheeler truck for.
It appears from this article that the results of the sheriff's anti immigration policy was to dump 15 illegals into Victoria county.
Instead of sending million to countrys that will never pay it back lets take that money and put it towards securing our borders. The government spends money like there is no end to the supply. I say stop the free for all of the money and spend it like we have no money to spend. Only the bare necessities like Medicade, Medicare, Food Stamps and the like. We need to cure ourselves first, then we can start to help the others. Make the U.S. stronger before we give away free money.
October 16, 2011 at 6:41 a.m.