29 Oct Zapata County sheriff adds command center funded by state border security program

The Zapata County Sheriff’s Office has added a command center to its equipment, paid for with state money from Operation Lone Star, the sheriff’s office said.

The office said the unit will serve as a central point for planning and communications during search and rescue missions, border security operations, large investigations, natural disasters, and any emergency that requires several agencies to act together. It is also meant to help deputies handle serious incidents and cooperate with agencies at every level of government.

Because Zapata County sits on the Texas-Mexico border, the office said, working with other agencies is a regular part of public safety there. The command center is expected to support joint operations with the Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol and other partners.

Operation Lone Star is the state’s border security program. The sheriff’s office said its funding has given border-area law enforcement agencies extra resources to deal with crime, human smuggling and drug trafficking.

Sheriff Ramon E. Montes’ office described the purchase as part of a continuing effort to update its operations and make sure deputies have the tools to do their jobs safely, and thanked the state for the funding.