Cuellar, City Of Pharr Unveil 3 Humvees For Police Department
Washington,
Apr 3 -
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, joined City of Pharr Mayor Leopoldo Palacios, Police Chief Ruben Villescas and community leaders to unveil three out of four acquired Humvees that will be used by the Pharr Police Department to help improve security for the community.
The Humvees were acquired through the Defense Department’s surplus equipment program.
“These Humvees are an excellent example of the resources that are available for our local first responders,” said Cuellar. “Equipment available through these programs is already paid for and can go a long way to boost security resources.”
“We do our best to provide funding for our first responders, but we also need to look at other options to help fill in gaps in security resources. I congratulate City of Pharr Mayor Leopoldo Palacios and Police Chief Ruben Villescas for their leadership in securing the Humvees and for looking out for their communities’ safety. I hope to see more DoD equipment unveilings throughout South Texas.”
The Humvees were acquired through the DoD Domestic Preparedness Support Initiative’s Excess Equipment Program, or 1033 Program. This program transfers excess military property to law enforcement agencies at no cost to the receiving agency. The Excess Equipment Program offers a wide variety of equipment, including helicopters, boats, tactical vehicles, and weapons. Agencies that wish to apply to the program need to contact the Texas Department of Public safety and once enrolled the agency will be able to access a website and review inventories of equipment available for acquisition.
“The Pharr Police Department was able to secure several vehicles thru Department of Defense 1033 Program which will augment the department’s resources in addressing public safety in the City of Pharr,” said Villescas.
“The vehicles will allow Pharr Police Officers to expand security operations at the Pharr International Bridge, provide for a higher level of response during Hurricane Season requiring evacuation of our citizens, and special residential neighborhood enforcement initiatives promoting public safety,” said Villescas.
The DoD Preparedness Support Initiative coordinates the Defense Department’s efforts to transfer technology, items and equipment to federal, state and local first responders that are involved in counter-drug and/or counter-terrorism activities. Other programs under the initiative include the 1706 Program, which transfers excess military property to state firefighting and emergency service agency at no cost to the receiving agency.
