Originally Posted By: dogcatcherOriginally Posted By: Mr. PoppadopalisWhy not put ALL Texas Sheriffs, Deputies, Marshals and State Troopers on the border?
Then Governor Perry can order them any way he see's fit!!
Seems the State Patrol has some very nice boats, the border of Texas is how long and they have 3 boats??
What is wrong with this picture???
I was all excited to hear about the NG, what a JOKE!!!
Well, back to digging my grave:-(
Those boats will not be of much use on the Rio Grande, there are to many low spots that they will not be able to navigate the Rio. Besides they were purchased for other reason, not too help with the immigration problem.
The last of 6 boats, originally purchased for use on the Rio Grande River and Intracoastal Canal, was delivered to the DPS in November, 2012.
Said to be able to run in just 12" of water, they do have some limitations, as do all tools of the trade. Most of the Rio Grande (at least in the lower RGV) is at least knee-deep with a mud or sand bottom, as opposed to rock. I'm sure the operators are aware of location of shallows in their area.
I would suspect that the presence of one of these boats would certainly discourage incidents such as one last week where the BP came under heavy fire from the Mexican side near McAllen and could do nothing more than take cover. I doubt that the DPS is operating under same ROE as is the USBP.
Quote:The $580,000 shallow water interceptor can patrol in just 12 inches of water and is the first of a planned fleet of six such vessels comprising the newly-created Highway Patrol Tactical Marine Unit.
One of the boat's first stops will be the Rio Grande.
According to DPS, one of the roles of the Tactical Marine Unit will be to target "splashdowns," where smugglers crash vehicles full of drugs or weapons into the water, then transport the illegal cargo to the other side.
http://www.khou.com/news/DPS-unveils-new...-135296258.html
Quote:November 28, 2012
Final DPS Patrol Vessel Commissioned
New boat named in honor of fallen trooper
Trooper Scott Burns
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today commissioned the Tactical Marine Unit’s sixth and final new patrol vessel at a ceremony in Austin. The boat is named in honor of the late Trooper Scott Burns, who was shot and killed in the line of duty at the age of 39 in Marion County on April 29, 2008.
Texas DPS News Release
Regards,
hm