KTRK-13 reports that State Rep. Martha Wong has asked Gov. Rick Perry for help with Houston’s surging crime problem:
A local lawmaker is demanding the governor step in to help fight crime in our area. It’s a plan that’s raising some eyebrows.
State Representative Martha Wong made the plea after being inundated with concerns by several Meyerland area residents — people who say they have been victimized by crime. Those who’ve lived in Meyerland for years now say they’ve never seen as much fear about crime as they see now.
[snip]
Wong asked specifically for a “unified command,” similar to that implemented by the state near the border, which she says helped cut crime there by 67%. Wong stopped short, though, of calling her request a call for military intervention.
“I just said state help, any law enforcement officers that he could send and help,” Wong explained.
Mayor White, who inexplicably does not have opinions on some important city issues, sure had an opinion on Rep. Wong’s action:
Houston Mayor Bill White applauds Wong’s efforts, but says sending state law enforcement is not the best solution to the problem.
“It’s more important that we get funds,” said Mayor White. “We want any help we can get, particularly federal help, so we can maintain a very aggressive level of police. I don’t think it’s necessary to bring the national guards in.”
Maintain a very aggressive level of police? Right! Good ones!
Let me translate Mayor White’s statement: No way in heck does he want Gov. Perry to help out with Houston’s surging crime problem, because that would be admitting that the city under White’s leadership can’t get a grip on the problem, and that would really look bad when the mayor runs for higher political office.
Gov. Perry told KTRK-13 that he would consider sending in DPS officers. Rep. Wong’s opponent in the November election sent word through a spokesperson that she is concerned state officers could undermine the jurisdiction of local law enforcement.
It would be nice if more of our elected leaders and those who aspire to lead would concern themselves with undermining the criminals!
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