Protecting our Children....
I hope everyone saw the public news broadcast on Channel 5 this week. Apparently a man has been spotted stalking children walking home from School at Stephen F. Austin Elementary. Police have interviewed two parents and their children who have stated that a man in a brown car stopped them on their way home asking them "if they needed a ride home".
This is extremely disturbing, as many of you may know, we have a real issue in our city with sex offenders. I have been working with our local police Chief (Quirino Munoz), and the local Media on finding a way to inform the public how we can curtail these predators from victimizing our children.
Very soon the Chief and I will be broadcasting a special on Channel 12. We will be working with several local organizations on how we can educate and help our children protect themselves. These "pedophiles" are constantly finding ways to violate our laws.
Stay tuned for more information.. I will be in touch soon.
10 comments:
I am very pleased to see that the ECISD is taking notice of this very real issue.
I contacted the monitor, and our local media the minute the chief informed me of the incident. Together we will be launching a very real attempt to educate our community on what we can do to "protect our children".
By the way...The public news broadcast was a directive given to the media by our local police chief. Congrats Chief! Keep up the good work.
Gus
Chief needs help. The PD is understaffed by about 30 officers. The Council only approved a handfull of new positions and denied Munoz' request for a lieutenant position to oversee the Criminal Investigation Division. (see payout to former Detective Sergeant Rey Ramirez in 2004). Oh, but the Fire Dept was given another deputy chief slot.
Don't be a weasel. Allow people to publish anonymously.
Dear Anonymous,
I am currently researching he impact and nationwide averages for police departments for cities our size. The Chief and I are trying to find ways to increase the peace without increasing the budget.
The budget has been completed, so as you know it is too late to add payroll. So even if that was the solution, its still not an option at this point.
Thank you for your comments, right now our focus will be on petty thefts, burglary of building/habitation, statutory rapes, indecency with children, and burglary of vehicle.
If you have other suggestions please let me know.
Gus
In regards to being a weasel,
I am tempted to not to screen postings, unfortunatly it is very difficult to insure that our comments and dialog will be of a positive nature without doing so.
I don't think its a matter of being a weasal, your comment alone "weasal" could be construed by some as offensive. Personally I am not offended. I just don't want this blog to be negative.
I will see how things go, if things go smoothly I will start screening less and less, for now I will monitor.
I apologize if this upsets you, it can assure you it is meant with good intentions. I hope you understand.
Gus
Thank you Earn,
As you can see I have already added you to mine.
Earn, I truly respect what you are doing, it is an invaluable service. The time and effort you have put into your craft is quite impressive.
I hope you will consider my invitation to join the effort to "protect our children" it is a quest I hold near to my heart. Maybe one day we will be able sit and talk about why.
Sincerely,
Gus
Protecting our children?
Good Cause and Yes the citizens will be more than glad to participate in contributing their fair share of duties to insure our children are safe. But you are a Councilman teaming with a Chief of Police of a Municipality, A key ingredient to your cause is (the Edinburg CISD Police Chief and the ECISD Officers.) I clearly understand that the school is located within the city limits and who in their right mind would argue otherwise but to afford a far more extensive defense at every school thwarting such malicious predators, but you must incorporate any and all means necessary to combat such menacing perpetrators. Thorough backgrounds should be conducted on all school personnel on a yearly basis. Most employees undergo ONE initial Background check prior to getting hired, and their background may change throughout the years. You've equiped yourself with a very Popular CAUSE to FIGHT, but I just think that the Key Details in your Cause is still lacking the School Law Enforcement Entity and we all know that body of law enforcement answers to a different council. Much like our National Law Enforcement, each entity alienates one another, and in this case their needs to be some homogenous efforts on both councils (city and School as well as with the 2 law enforcement entities) I'm in no way shape or form dogging your Cause, just giving you some heads up on how beauracracy works here in the Valley. You've got the Public's Ear, Now Prepare Accordingly. How you Prepare for this worthy cause will dictate your leadership competency. GOOD CAUSE...
Primo,
Your absolutely right, in my ignorance I ignored the obvious political "factor". I automatically assumed that anyone and everyone would jump at the chance to champion such a worthy fight.
My ability to lead will definietly be a contributing factor in the implementation phase of this endeavor.
Thanks for the heads up, I will take your advice and contact a representative from the ECISD Board and see where it takes me.
Right now, my goal is to inform and educate the public, this I can do through city staff, radio, TV and print media. The eventual implementation of policy, ordinances, committees, etc. will rest on the shoulders of every elected leader in thier individual roles.
Currently I believe my job is to help bring it to the forefront. After that, the efforts of our community will dictate the outcome.
Please Understand that in no way am I dismissing my very important role of working with my fellow elected officials, as such, I will do whatever is necessary, whether it be biting my tongue, eating crow , or just plain getting along, if it means I can help save or protect just one child from the pain of being violated by one of these predators.
Sincerely,
Gus
Hey Gus, Read Edinburg News. They have a good point. Why don't you go after Kino Flores? Imagine what he can do for Edinburg up in Austin.
Ms. Pena,
Thank you for the compliment. I was very pleased and proud to be there with my fellow councilmembers, hopefully there will be more of this in the future.
Gus
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