LaredoBuzz.Com

 Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

(Laredo, TX )-Federal, state and local officials will hold a news conference on today, to discuss the work of Southwest Border State and Local

Intelligence Working Group, which contains representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, sheriffs and police chiefs, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area directors, and fusion center directors. 

Joining Undersecretary Wagner to discuss the work of the Southwest Border State and Local Intelligence Working Group will be federal, state and local officials, including: 

• Louis Quijas, Assistant Secretary, for the Office for State & Local Law Enforcement, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security;
• City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas;
• Laredo Chief of Police Carlos R. Maldonado; and
• San Antonio Chief of Police William McManus, as well as other sheriffs and police chiefs; High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area directors and fusion center directors. 

“The creation of the Southwest Border State and Local Intelligent Working Group represents a significant step forward in addressing information sharing challenges among local, state and federal personnel along the southwest border,” said Undersecretary Wagner.

  As agencies from the Laredo Police Department; San Antonio Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Luna County, NM Sheriff; South Texas and Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; Yuma County, AZ Sheriff; Arizona Counter-Terrorism Information Center; Tucson, AZ Police Department; and San Diego, CA Law Enforcement Coordination Center come together to continue to familiarize themselves with each other and the levels of expertise they each bring, they are also able to discuss new and continued efforts to share intelligence information.

 “For Laredo, homeland security has always meant hometown security, and our outstanding Laredo Police Department has always worked closely with every law enforcement to keep our community safe, which in turn has kept our country safe,” said Mayor Salinas.  “As a former FBI agent, I understand the importance and challenges of intelligence gathering, and by working together, these agencies, whether it is the local police department, the sheriff’s office, or any one of our state or federal agencies, will continue to make their presence known throughout the border, keeping us all safe. Under the leadership and direction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, we all understand that by cooperating together, we will accomplish much,” state Mayor Salinas.

 “Given the instability happening in our neighboring country and the heightened level of violence in Mexico happening at our doorstep, it is important that we as law enforcement agencies come together to develop strategies, analyze and share intelligence that will enhance our capabilities for protecting our citizens,” said Laredo Chief of Police Carlos R. Maldonado.

 “The fact that the Southwest Border State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Intelligence Working Group meeting is beginning here in Laredo is significant in that it only underscores the importance of Laredo’s role for border security,” Chief Maldonado concluded.

 Aside from this intelligence sharing meeting with officials from DHS, the Laredo Police Department will also host an Executive Symposium the next day with several law enforcement agencies to continue discussing border security issues, including Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.