Author: R. Gil Kerlikowske
Community policing is a common sense approach to enhancing public safety by encouraging close collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Throughout my policing career, I’ve seen first-hand how effective community policing can be, so I am extremely proud of the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station, which was honored last month with the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Cisco Community Policing Award. The Station was hailed for its efforts in partnering with local community and stakeholders to improve community relations and prevent criminal organizations from operating in Brooks County, Texas.
The Falfurrias Border Patrol Station worked directly with community stakeholders to draft the Falfurrias Station Strategic Plan 2020, which outlines various initiatives, programs and best practices to improve border security and community safety. The plan has strengthened relationships between the Border Patrol and stakeholders of every stripe, facilitating information sharing and increasing confidence and trust in our agents.
The plan has yielded great results in its first full year of implementation:
- 68 percent reduction in narcotics smuggling;
- 34 percent reduction in migrant deaths;
- 154 percent increase in rescues; and
- 73 percent increase in total prosecutions.
CBP salutes the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station and congratulates all of its agents for their well-deserved award.