Border sheriffs get $5 million grant

A nearly $5 million grant will be used by sheriff’s departments from El Paso to Cameron counties to bolster border security and improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the border region.

U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar, Silvestre Reyes, Ciro Rodriguez, Solomon Ortiz and Ruben Hinojosa — who all represent counties along the Texas-Mexico border — announced Thursday the $4.85 million in federal funding for the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition.

The funding is made through the Department of Justice’s Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, which is used to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.

The border congressmen said in a joint release that the grant will be used to ensure effective cooperation with federal, state and local agencies.

Reyes, D-El Paso, said the grant will help local law enforcement agencies keep the region safe as local and state governments face budget deficits.

Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, said the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition will provide a coordinate response to border law enforcement issues. He said the federal funding will help improve the security of every border resident.