Pharr Multidisciplinary Intelligence-Based Team Project

The State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Stemming from the Southern border of the United States under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is designed to provide resources for hiring, retention, assistance, and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border and in High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas in order to combat criminal narcotics activity stemming from the Southern border of the United States. For the purpose of this solicitation, the term 'criminal narcotics activity' includes all drugs controlled by the Controlled Substance Act 21 USC Section 801.

Under Category I: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity, the Pharr Police Department (PPD) will use its grant funds to hire sworn officers, a crime analyst, acquire surveillance equipment and resources in an effort to create a multi-layer and multi-agency approach for the apprehension and prevention of drug traffickers in the area. These traffickers operate both in and out of Pharr's sister town, Reynosa, Mexico, and smuggle currency, illegal drugs, human trafficking, firearms and ammunition, vehicle theft, and other contraband through the Pharr International Bridge Port of Entry (POE). The grant will expand the K-9 project by hiring two officers to conduct southbound interdiction operations at the transit level of the Pharr POE, as well as hire a criminal analyst to conduct intelligence-led policing in order to support data-driven tactical operations. In addition, the award funds will purchase surveillance equipment that will identify and interdict drug-related activity during day and night.

CA/NCF