ZAPATA, TX – On Tuesday, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that Zapata County has received $300,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) program to support local law enforcement for equipment, over-time pay and conduct interagency operations. This program provides funding to enhance cooperation and coordination among local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States’ borders. The Congressman helped secure $85 million nationwide, a $30 million increase from FY17, through his role on the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. Statewide, Texas received over $30 million in Operation Stonegarden funds.

“These additional funds will help reimburse local law enforcement as they work with the federal government to help provide protection of our southern border. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I have worked to ensure that the hard working men and women providing services and protection have the resources and support they need to get the job done. I want to thank Zapata County Sheriff Alonso M. Lopez, Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell, and the men and women who secure our border communities,” said Congressman Cuellar.

Zapata County Sheriff Alonso M. Lopez said, “The Zapata County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Congressman Henry Cuellar for working tirelessly to provide the citizens of Zapata County with extra protection and services. These protections and services can come about because of the Stonegarden grant awarded to Zapata County. The funds provided, give the officers of the Zapata County Sheriff’s office the ability to protect our border. The grant also enhances our ability to provide equipment to our officers for the protection and safety of our citizens. This grant could not have been granted to us if it were not for Congressman Cuellar. We at the Zapata Sheriff’s office, thank our Congressman and his staff for their support. Again thank you Congressman Cuellar.”

The FY 2018 Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) program provides $85,000,000 to enhance cooperation and coordination among local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States’ borders along routes of ingress from international borders to include travel corridors in States bordering Mexico and Canada, as well as States and territories with international water borders.

To read more about Operation Stonegarden, click here.

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