Mission police keep crime in check

Politicians begin campaigns; Primaries set for March 2

First drug arrest at Anzalduas bridge

MPO discusses 25-year plan

$255,000 dozer stolen

Freezing temps expected

TxDOT Advisory

Mission police offer tips for a safe 2010

Authorities advise to be a “difficult victim”

By Mary Nichols

MISSION — Through the city’s growth and change over the years, including the 32 percent over the last decade, Mission Police Department officials said it has managed to keep crime levels down.

In fact, Mission’s 2009 crime index report proves it’s one of the safer cities of the Rio Grande Valley.

Mission Police Chief Leo Longoria said trying to keep crime low is not an easy task, and explained it has been accomplished through the hard work of officers and the community.

“We need to work hard on our Neighborhood Watch and concentrate on our inner city crime as we continue to feed our commercial growth,” said Longoria. “We want to make sure that people that come to Mission, to shop, visit and live can do that in a safe and secure way.”

From January through November 2009, Mission had a total of 3,313 crimes in categories of homicide, rape, aggravated assault, theft and burglary, and family violence, among others. This reported number is a slight increase from 2008 where there were only 2,964 reported crimes, officials said.

“In general, we attribute some of the crime increase to the growth,” said Longoria. “What we will do next year is reach out to the community more and train the public how to be difficult victims. We have to be more proactive.”

Other cities, in approximate size of Mission, have higher overall crime rates. Edinburg in 2008 had 4,618 crimes reported and Pharr had over 4,000 crime cases in the same year.

“Something we always like to do when the crime index comes out is to compare ourselves to other communities,” said Assistant Chief Robert Dominguez. “If you look at the numbers and population, we have some of the lowest crime rates in the Hidalgo County and the Valley.”

Crime here has risen in certain areas from the previous year. There were 438 cases of burglary last year and most recent statistics showed there were 553 burglary cases. Rape incidents went from two reports to four and family violence cases increased from 261 to 272. Aggravated assault cases were 58 and now 61, which Longoria said usually are associated with family violence crimes.

“Family violence did go up. We’re not sure if it’s because of the holidays and people are spending more time together and get frustrated, or maybe it’s the economy,” said Longoria. “We always get a spike in those crimes after the holidays.”

Criminal theft incidents also increased from 2,042 to 2,354 and Mission police said this is a crime that is high in any city. Edinburg had 3,082 theft cases and Pharr had 2,503 incidents in 2008.

Dominguez said burglary of vehicles is quite common, especially during the holidays. He said there are people constantly scoping out parking lots looking into cars for something they can steal. The best advice he said he tries to give the public is the slogan ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ Put belongings in the trunk of the car or cover them so they are not visible to others. Dominguez said theft can happen to anyone, so being aware at all times is important.

“To be honest, crime is opportunistic and if the opportunity is there, they are going to take it,” said Dominguez. “If you are showing what you have it makes it easier for them to say, ‘Well I want it.’ Anything from a laptop, boom box or whatever it is that you leave in plain view.”

Home burglary is also common when residents leave for vacation. Mission P.D. officials said that it’s important to have an alarm system. If not, then making the home appear occupied is essential to throw off crooks.

Dominguez said leave lights on, have someone check up on the house, or have a house sitter.

“Unfortunately people leave out of town. They don’t mow their yards, there are several newspapers stacked up in the driveway, which says, ‘I’m not home, come in,’ said Dominguez. “If possible, invest in an alarm system.”

Crime awareness tips given by the police department to the public has helped citizens stay safe and prepared. One important program they promote strongly is how to be a “difficult victim.”

“We inform the public on tips to make them not easy targets to criminals,” said Dominguez. “We give them tips on how to protect themselves, at home, in their car and even at the work place. Anything you’re doing be vigilant about your surroundings.”

Dominguez said crime could strike at any moment. He said about two years ago purse snatchings were being reported about two or three times a week, which has decreased this year. He advises that women should be careful about how they are carrying their purses, and to always have keys readily available.

“If you are in a situation where someone wants to take your car let them take it. If you get somebody that wants to take your money let them have it,” Dominguez said. “It’s not worth your life or worth your family’s life.”

Dominguez said when witnessing a crime, don’t get involved; call the police and report it.

Other tips include parking car under a light, or in an area where there is going to be people around. These are just a number of tips and many more are on the police department’s website and in seminars they give like during their neighborhood watch programs.

The Neighborhood Watch program has Mission P.D. going out to communities to inform the public how to stay protected and aware of criminal activity. The department helps them set-up their election of block captain who keeps the residents on the street informed and work as community team to lookout for crime. Patrol units also go and routinely patrol the residential areas of where the Neighborhood Watch is set-up.

“Right now we have close to 40 groups in different areas where there are block captains that control particular neighborhoods,” said Dominguez. “They stay in contact with us and vice versa.”

Not only is the Mission P.D. helping the public be active, but also they are expanding their services to better protect their citizens.
“We are going back to sectors and seeing what crime is happening there, when and why,” said Dominguez. “Then we address the issue by trying to augment our patrol function and put more units in a certain area.”

They also have night officers with the major crimes division that do patrol work undercover in vehicles and in plain clothes.

“Another resource we have is the actual criminals that come and visit us here,” said Dominguez. “It’s amazing how they snitch on each other.”

The public plays a major role in keeping the city safe, police said. Without their help they wouldn’t know where to patrol, or how to bring down criminals.

“We receive a lot of leads and a particular lead might help us catch a violent criminal within our community,” said Longoria, adding that reporting crimes is key. “We can’t get rid of crime all together, but we can shift and move crime out of your communities.”

Police want the public to know that they will continue to work to help keep Mission safe. The city is building a substation on Glasscock and Military Highway roads by B.L. Gray Jr. High, an area police said they are concerned with because of the new growth. The new station will serve that area and the area around the new international bridge.

“It’s a never ending situation for us,” said Dominguez. “However, we must remain vigilant at all times because it’s our main responsibility to provide security to our citizens and those who visit our community.”

For assistance in starting a Neighborhood Watch program or tips on how to be a difficult victim, visit Missionpolice.org or call 956-584-5000.

Politicians begin campaigns, primaries set for March 2

HIDALGO COUNTY — Local Democrats have begun courting voters over the next few weeks as more than half a dozen elections here will be contested for local and state races for the March 2 primary.

In the County Judge race, former judges Ramon Garcia and Eloy Pulido will face each other in the Democratic primaries.

Incumbent District Attorney Rene Guerra, seeking what he’s calling his final term, will run against attorneys Alma Garza and Fidencio Guerra Jr.

Hidalgo County Commissioner Hector “Tito” Palacios, a Democrat, will not face any challengers in his race for Precinct 2.

Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 4 Oscar Garza Jr. has one challenger to his seat, Joseph Palacios, an Edinburg resident and former chief of staff for Commissioner Sylvia Handy.

Under local judges, the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, Place 2 will have incumbent Rosa Treviño running against Francisco Prado and Samuel Soto.

In the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 1, incumbent Hilda Caceres has one challenger, Speedy Jackson.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2 Mary Alice Palacios faces no challengers.

Justice, 13th Court of Appeals District, Place 3 Linda Yañez, a Democrat, will face Greg Perkes of Corpus Christi, a Republican.
There are no Republican candidates for any of the Hidalgo County races.

State Representative District 39, which covers San Juan, Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Mercedes and Progreso, is a contested race between incumbent Armando “Mando” Martinez and Joel De Los Santos. There is no Republican candidate for this race.

State Representative District 36, which covers Pharr, Hidalgo, parts of McAllen and Mission, Palmview, Peñitas and Granjeno, has former candidate Sandra Rodriguez, a former teacher, and Sergio Muñoz Jr., an attorney, against one another in one of the highest profile races. There is no Republican candidate for this race. Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, who currently represents this district, is not seeking re-election.

State Representative District 41 incumbent Veronica Gonzales has a Republican challenger in November, Rebecca Joan Cervera, who is a partner in a brokerage company.
State Representative District 40 incumbent Aaron Peña, a Democrat, is running unopposed. This seat covers Edinburg, Elsa, Edcouch, La Villa, Sullivan City, and La Joya.

U.S. Representative District 15, currently held by Ruben Hinojosa, will face Doug Purl in the Democratic primaries. Two Republicans, Eddie Zamora and Daniel Garza will go against each other in the Republican primaries. This district covers Hidalgo and Cameron counties.

U.S. Representative District 28 incumbent Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat, will face a Republican after the March primaries between Mission resident Daniel Chavez and Bryan Underwood. This district covers Starr County and the southern portion of Hidalgo County.