Press Release from the City of Uvalde

UVALDE, TX — At the direction of the City Council and City Manager, Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado today unveiled the “Guardian Initiative” – a comprehensive plan to overhaul the policies, practices, and procedures of the Uvalde Police Department (UPD) to enhance community trust and safety while modernizing the city’s police force.

The Guardian Initiative will focus on restoring trust and credibility, improving community relations, enhancing officer performance, implementing structural changes, and leveraging technology and innovation to transform UPD to better serve the Uvalde community.

To achieve this vision, Chief Delgado will hold a department-wide review of past actions – including one-on-one interviews with every single UPD officer – to ensure transparency and accountability at the outset of this initiative. Chief Delgado will also lead a comprehensive review and reform of current department policies to address any outstanding issues identified in local, state, and federal investigations.

As part of the Initiative, Chief Delgado also plans to implement rigorous new training standards and expand professional development programs to ensure the Uvalde police department is operating at the top of its potential. The Initiative will also expand neighborhood outreach and integration and emphasize UPD’s accountability to the citizens they protect.

Upon announcing the initiative, Chief Delgado provided the following statement:

“As officers, we are accountable to the people who depend on us, and we must demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and responsiveness to carry out the core mission of every single officer – protecting the safety of the Uvalde community. The Guardian Initiative is key to the transformation of our department, and will require hard work, discipline, extensive training, and community engagement to enhance the department’s capabilities while ensuring integrity and transparency in our operations. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the entire Uvalde community as UPD undergoes these critical changes to keep Uvalde Safe.”

As part of Chief Delgado’s Guardian Initiative, UPD will:

• Initiate a department-wide meeting to ensure transparency and accountability regarding past actions reflect the standards of the department;
• Prioritize and substantially expand community outreach;
• Dedicate time and funding to new training and development programs;
• Assess, review, and reform policies and procedures to better reflect the needs of the community; and
• Ensure the department has the right equipment to address challenges of modern law enforcement.

Press Release from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz ;Picture credit; Office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) reintroduced Kate’s Law, bicameral legislation which was first introduced in July 2015. The legislation is named in memory of Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman tragically shot and killed by an illegal alien who had several felony convictions and had been deported from the United States five times. This bill would amend federal law to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any person who has multiple convictions, or a conviction for an aggravated felony, who enters the country illegally. The bill is co-sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and in the House by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Ryan Zinke (R-Mo.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Brian Babin (R-Texas) and David Krustoff (R-Tenn.).

About the reintroduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Eight years ago, when I first introduced Kate’s Law, I was just as shocked and dismayed that Kate Steinle was killed by an illegal felon who had reentered the U.S. as I am today. Almost a decade has gone by since this shooting and we have yet to strengthen federal law to prevent a tragedy like this from recurring. The first time this legislation was stopped by Senate Democrats, I vowed to continue fighting for Kate’s Law, and I am proud to introduce this legislation once again to prevent aggravated felons from preying on innocent Americans.”

  Rep. Bice said, “Earlier this year in Texas, an individual who had been deported four times killed five individuals, proving the extensive flaws in our immigration system. Under the Biden administration the southern border is completely out of control, with record breaking crossings occurring every month. In Fiscal Year 2022, CBP arrested 12,028 individuals with criminal convictions. This legislation would impose tougher criminal penalties against illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes, and those who illegally reenter the United States after previously being deported.”

  Sen. Cotton said, “Illegal immigrants who re-enter our country after deportation show a knowing and willful disregard for our laws. This bill will ensure that illegal aliens who return to the U.S. face serious prison time.”

  Sen. Grassley said, “We need tougher penalties for individuals who re-enter our country illegally, especially those who do so with a long rap sheet to their name. It’s dangerous and unjust to let these criminals off the hook. I hope Democrats will wake up to the reality at our southern border and drop opposition to this bill. The safety of American citizens depends on it.”

Read the bill here.

Kate’s Law would increase criminal penalties for certain aliens who illegally reenter the United States after removal or exclusion.

The legislation is named for Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman tragically shot and killed by an illegal alien who had several felony convictions and had been deported from the United States five times.

This bill would amend federal law to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any person who has multiple convictions, or a conviction for an aggravated felony, who enters the country illegally.

Read the bill here.

At 3:45 PM today in Knippa, a citizen reported seeing numerous numbers of police vehicles on Highway 9o and possibly on FM 1049 near the post office. According to the citizen, heavy presence of various police vehicles made it difficult to cross at the two railroad crossings resulting in traffic having to use the underpass under the railroad bridge on the West Side of Knippa.

According to Sheriff Rubin Nolasco, law enforcement units were responding to a bailout.

 On Friday, February 10th, Uvalde CISD issued the following statement about an incident involving a student claiming he/she possessed a weapon:

February 10, 2023 – Uvalde CISD Addresses
Offhanded Weapon Statement

Early on February 10th, our administration was alerted of a student who offhandedly stated a weapon was in possession. This statement, similar to all references to weapons, was taken seriously. The Uvalde CISD Police Chief was immediately involved to ensure a thorough and complete investigation was conducted. The conclusion of the investigation revealed the student was joking. This is not a joking matter; the student will face the appropriate consequences.

  District Administration, including Uvalde High School administration, are sending a parent letter home to inform Uvalde High School parents of the situation. Parent support is greatly needed in reinforcing with our students the seriousness of making references to possessing a weapon, making offhanded threats, or reposting a threat on social media. All reports of weapons and threats to our students, staff, and schools are taken very seriously, are investigated thoroughly, and can be considered criminal offenses.

 We encourage parents to speak with their child(ren) about making the right choices and the potential consequences of their actions. We will continue to work together to keep all our students safe and help them make positive choices for themselves and our community. Uvalde CISD Administration appreciates your cooperation, patience, and understanding as we work together to provide a safe educational setting for our students and staff.

Earlier this week on Wednesday, May 8th, the Uvalde Police Department issued this alert on it’s Facebook page about a report it received about a threat made by a Uvalde CISD Virtual Academy student:

The Uvalde City Council met Tuesday evening Jan 24th to consider requests by Uvalde Parks and Recreation and the Uvalde Police Department for used parts needed to repair the Uvalde Memorial Golf Course irrigation system grant application.  Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez then requested the Council approve the purchase of of twelve (12)  hand held radios for the Uvalde Police Department and approve three grant application approvals for Rife Resistant Body Armor and equipment ; Body worn cameras and for police department computer equipment  through different respective grants

Chief Rodriguez also requested the Council approve the donation of exercise equipment by Marathon Fitness.

According to Rodriguez the grant amount awarded to the Police department was $82,000 Operation Lone Star awarded from a grant filed in 2022. He told the council his initial request amount to Operation Lone star was 1.1 million dollars but his grant was only approved for $82,000.

“We’re trying the pro-active approach to grant opportunities. ” Rodriguez said.

According to Rodriguez. The donated fitness equipment from Marathon Fitness was picked up by the department staff from Houston and one police officer is currently using the equipment as part of a 6 week  fitness program the Chief plans on requiring for all his officers and new hires. 

Chief Rodriquez, accompanied by  Frank Fuente representing Motorola Communications spoke to the Council about an equipment assessment Fuente conducted for the Uvalde Police Department Dispatch office. “We had to add $42,000 to cover the dispatch service,” said Rodriguez.  In their presentation it was explained to the council that the City of Uvalde serves as a central communications hub for the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office as well as EMS and Volunteer Fire Departments. 

Public Works Director Juan Zamora then reported to the council on Wastewater Treatment Plant Repair as part of the council agenda to consider approval of pay request #2 in the amount of $309,579,30 to LEM Construction Co. for work performed through December 31, 2022 on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Repairs and Upgrade Project.

Zamora stated that he expects the replacement screw pumps to be in by July or August. 

The Uvalde City Council voted to approve all of these requests.

Just before 2 PM today a large bull was seen loose on Highway 90 approximately about a one and a half miles east of the Uvalde City Limits. The bull was spotted by the Uvalde Hesperian walking west in the east bound bar ditch as two trucks followed the bull.  After a few minutes of one of the drivers attempting to block the path of the bull, the bull was seen entering the highway slowing down traffic. A few minutes later the DPS patrol car arrived on the scene.

According to Sheriff Rubin Nolasco, he said he was told the bull escaped from the Regal Meat Market.

A driver who contacted the Uvalde Hesperian said she the bull charge a man who was standing on the highway trying to warn approaching vehicles about the bull.

“When we pulled up we saw a cop car and pedestrian truck pulled into the middle lane and traffic was stopped. We then saw the bull coming across the highway, the man was behind his truck and was running to the other side of the highway to warn oncoming cars while waving his arms. The bull noticed him and ran into him. It made him fly from the back corner of his truck to the front and he was knocked out. The bull then took off into a field,” the driver said.

About an hour later, Uvalde Police dispatch stated the bull had successfully been contained.

The condition of the man struck by the bull is currently unknown.

Berlinda Arreola, the grandmother of Amarie Jo Garza who was one of the 19 who perished at the May 24th Robb School Massacre spoke to the Uvalde CISD Board at Monday night’s December 19th meeting,

Arreola then spoke about observing a police officer on the Flores Campus on his cell phone when they should be alert to security matters.

“Last week I went to pick up my granddaughter from Flores, and there was somebody ahead of me so I had to wait. While I was there waiting, there was this officer that was there and he sat on his phone and he’s on his phone looking down this whole entire time that I’m in line waiting. And then I get up, I go, and take the picture, and still, no look up, no nothing. ”

“There is also another picture that somebody else took that I was trying to get it was three officers that were sitting in the cafeteria doing the same thing on their phones the whole entire time, no looking up; not protecting,” she said.

She went on to say, “They are not paying attention to our students.”