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Project will demolish homes where drug, crime activity occur

 Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

 (Laredo, TX ) The City of Laredo, in partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol, have been working together to find a way to rid the community of homes that have been identified as having drug and other criminal activities occurring at those locations.  Operation Crackdown, a program offered by the U.S. Army National Guard, will help to not only clean up Laredo, but help to rid these neighborhoods of crime and eyesores.

 Operation Crackdown provides engineer assets to assist municipalities in reclaiming control of known drug trafficking areas by working with affected communities to knock down structures that are proven drug trafficking locations. This mission helps rid neighborhoods of gangs, drugs, and associated violent activity and allows for community revitalization.

 “Our Laredo Police Department, with its law enforcement partners in the community, especially, the U.S. Border Patrol, have long identified areas of drug and crime activity taking place in old and abandoned homes around Laredo,” said Mayor Salinas.  “Through this program, we will rid our city of criminal activity, while beautifying these neighborhoods.  It’s a win-win for the community.”

 For the past several months, the City of Laredo Community Development Department has been following a rigorous process of investigating properties that were flagged as having a possible drug nexus.  Of the 77 structures that had been identified by the Laredo Police, Building or CD Departments, or those by the U.S. Border Patrol, a total of 28 structures are slated to be demolished in late May. 

 Once the homes are identified, property owners must be notified and consent must be given by these owners to have the properties demolished.  Clearance from the state’s historical commission must be received and asbestos testing must be completed, as well as other documentation required by the Texas National Guard. One benefit of the program is that there is no cost to the homeowners to have the properties demolished.

 There are costs incurred by the municipality involved in the program, including:  asbestos testing, and if demolishing two structures within 660 feet of each other, both must be tested for asbestos; asbestos abatement prior to demolition; dump trucks; 40 yard truck; and landfill costs. Last night the Laredo City Council approved for the City of Laredo to participate in Operation Crackdown, authorizing the City Manager to approve any hard costs associated with participating in the program, including haul-off fees, permits and landfill costs.

 “This program is too important to NOT participate in,” said Council Member Cindy Liendo, District VIII, in whose district a majority of the structures slated to be demolished are located in. “These costs are minimal compared to the impact this program will have on our neighborhoods, on our city in the long run.”

 According to a Texas National Guard presentation on Operation Crackdown, 83% of abandoned or open buildings show signs of drug abuse, prostitution or criminal activity; crime rates are twice as high on blocks with abandoned or open buildings than on controlled buildings blocks; and millions of dollars are spent each year to mitigate and abate the problem.  A recent University of Michigan study found that investing $3.5 million over a three year period resulted in an increase in surrounding property value of more than $112.5 million.

 During the next two months, the City of Laredo will be working closely with the National Guard to finalize the paperwork, and other necessary requirements to prepare for Operation Crackdown. They provide all of the large equipment needed to complete the mission, as well as trained Army personnel to manage the project.  Seized drug money is used to cover the costs of this program to the Texas National Guard.

Additionally, the Texas National Guard will make a visit to a local school near one of the targeted homes that will be demolished to talk about the dangers of drug use.  One class from that school will then be invited to participate in the demotion of the home.

 “This combined initiative by the City of Laredo, the National Guard, the Border Patrol and the Laredo Police Department; will deny a place for drugs and criminals to make a ‘home’ in our neighborhoods… this program protects one of our most vulnerable population in our city: our children,” said Assistant Police Chief Jesus R. Torres.

 If anyone would like for a property to be considered for demolition for Operation Crackdown, please contact the Community Development Department at 795-2675.  All homes must go through the same process for approval before being added to the final list of homes for the May initiative.

 The Texas National Guard Counterdrug Program began Operation Crackdown in 1993. Its first mission was in San Antonio where Texas Army National Guard Engineers supported local law enforcement agencies in San Antonio to tear down “drug houses.”  Since then, approximately 1,347 houses have been demolished in cities across Texas including Corpus Christi, Dallas, Harlingen, Kingsville and San Antonio.