The current Starr County Jail is quickly closing in on its thirtieth anniversary. As per the National Institute of Corrections, 30 years is the life expectancy for county jails in the United States. The current population growth rate of the Rio Grande Valley including Starr County has resulted in a greater need for jail beds throughout our area.

Recently, beds have been added to the existing Starr County Jail, which has been a financial source of revenue for the county. Federal detainees and detainees from other jurisdictions quickly filled these added beds. Additional jail beds are desperately needed to support law enforcement and the judicial process. This creates a great opportunity for Starr County. As your sheriff, I would work swiftly with the Commissioner’s Court to hire an independent consulting firm to study the need for additional jail requirements in the area. I would then work with other jurisdictions to secure a contract(s) to accommodate detainees.

If a new, larger jail is built, the county could see a tremendous increase in revenue. A new jail as proposed by me would not result in a property tax increase. This project would be financed by a revenue bond. Once the jail is built and filled with federal detainees and detainees from other jurisdictions, our county would receive a daily payment per bed.  Under my plan, the Starr County Sheriff’s Office would build a 1,000-bed jail and reserve 800 of those beds for other jurisdictions.  This plan has the potential to raise over $20 million dollars per year, an approximate 93 percent increase to the county’s budget. Those funds would be managed by the Commissioner’s Court to increase services for the people. A much larger jail would also create more county jobs with competitive salaries and benefits.     

Additionally, this project would mean vacating the current jail and making room for a new site to serve as a juvenile justice center, a need that has already gained the attention of county officials. This new site would be sufficient room for a detention center, probation office, and a juvenile court all in one.  The juvenile detention center would also have the potential to rent beds to other jurisdictions for additional revenue. 

This ambitious jail project is well within reach since it will pay for itself by renting jail beds. The beds will not only provide for the payment of the construction cost but also add millions of dollars to the county year after year.

This opportunity is knocking on our door, so there is no time for complacency or business as usual. This project is one that requires vision and leadership. As your sheriff, I commit to you to work fervently to see this project come to fruition.

With your support, I will deliver an increased level of security for our children. Starr County, Texas is situated along the United States/Mexican border. The area serves as a gateway for cross-border drug smuggling. Federal agencies such as CBP, DEA, HSI, FBI, and others work aggressively to disrupt and dismantle the top ranks of criminal organizations.

These efforts lead to the seizure of drugs and prosecution of smugglers attempting to move their contraband further into the country, but what law enforcement agencies are targeting the drugs on our streets in Starr County? Who is focusing on street-level drug enforcement?

The availability of drugs, peer pressure, and lack of enforcement actions present a threat to our children. As Sheriff, I will lead a concerted effort with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to aggressively target those who push drugs to our children.

As Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county, I will plan and target street-level drug distribution to support our most valuable asset, our children.

As an elected official, I will work for you. I recognize transparency is one of the most important aspects of holding public office. As should be expected of any elected official, as your sheriff, I will be engaged with all other elected officials; local, state, and Federal governments, regardless of party lines. I will also be willing and eager to meet with the different civic and social groups in Starr County. By meeting and communicating with the people I serve, I will provide the latest plans, progress, and accomplishments of the sheriff’s office in an open manner.

One thing that stands out as a concern within the sheriff’s office is a certain level of inequality.

There seems to be a system of “Have and Have Nots”. This division is obviously a morale issue within the different divisions of the sheriff’s office, which can be easily corrected through better management of resources. By simply applying a rule of fairness when assigning work schedules, overtime, equipment, vehicles and uniforms, the moral of the workforce will improve. My vision of the sheriff’s office is one free of nepotism. A place where everyone has an equal opportunity to promote and thrive.

As your sheriff, I will rebuild three main principles of a good law enforcement agency: Trust, Integrity and Honor. In my administration, the word leadership will have meaning. I will use my moral compass not only in choosing the words I speak but, more importantly, to guide me through my actions.