La Salle SO nets $200k in Operation Stonegarden funds
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Monies to pay for overtime and new equipment
The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office is the recipient of $200,000 in federal funding that will be used to support border security through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Stonegarden Grant Program.
The funding is made available to law enforcement agencies with the objective of enhancing border security. Up to $90,000,000 is available in total OPSG funding for FY2022, including $39,875,000 for the state of Texas. OPSG funds are allocated based on the risk to the security of the border.
The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office will use the funds to pay for overtime hours, operating expenses, and new equipment—resources to provide security to the community.
“Every year, the resources provided by the Stonegarden Program assist our local law enforcement in their efforts to protect our border communities,” Congressman Henry Cuellar said. “By providing new, updated equipment and more manpower, these funds allow our local law enforcement to carry out the necessary operations to enhance security along our southern border, helping us fight the war on drugs and human trafficking.
“Operation Stonegarden is a lifeline for our Border Patrol who rely on local law enforcement and sheriffs to support their efforts at our southern border,” Congressman Tony Gonzales said. “With the historic spike in drug and human trafficking in places like La Salle County, I am proud to see almost half of the funding for this critical program going to Texas so we can have an all-hands-on-deck approach in our border communities.”
“The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office is able to provide extra service and coverage to the county by utilizing Stonegarden funds which cover overtime pay for those deputies participating in the grant,” Sheriff Zertuche said. “These funds are strictly used to pay deputies working the Stonegarden grant in accordance with program guidelines.
“The Stonegarden grant has played a positive role in the department and with the county. It has helped us build a stronger working relationship with our federal agency partners whom we work with every day. The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office will do its part in order to provide service to the County of La Salle with professionalism and integrity.”
Since 2018, La Salle County has received $911,000 in Operation Stone Garden funding. This funding has allowed the county to cover extraordinary expenses incurred to reinforce border security.