Eagle Pass Police Department Holds Second Community Meeting at Burr Skate Park, Seeks to Improve Relations
By: Coral Cantu, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
The Eagle Pass Police Department under the leadership of Police Chief Federico Garza held its second Community Outreach Meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Burr Skate Park, located at 2086 Roosevelt Street in the Los Angeles Heights neighborhood in Eagle Pass, Texas, seeking to improve relations and trust among the residents of the community and the local police department.
Police Chief Garza implemented the Community Outreach Meeting program last month with the first held at Kelso Drive Park near Eagle Pass High School and Grave Elementary School. The purpose of the community meetings are to provide the public the opportunity to personally meet the Police Chief and officers and to open the lines of communication between the public and police department. Establishing an open line of communication is important to allow the local citizens to express their concerns within the community as well as a better understanding and problem-solving concerning community issues, particularly concerning public safety matters.
Several parents, families, and young adolescents in the community attended the Burr Skate Park community outreach meeting and took advantage of sitting down with Police Chief Garza and fellow officers to discuss their concerns and needs concerning public safety issues. Parents noted the openness of Chief Garza and the local police department at the community meeting. They felt comfortable expressing their concerns and welcomed the cooperation from the local police department. Among the issues presented at the meeting by community residents included developing strategies against crime prevention and starting a neighborhood watch program.
Similarly, police officers welcomed the opportunity to meet members of the community as well as learn of their concerns and needs for public safety issues. The meeting helped establishing an open line of communication and trust between the public and local police department. The proactive presence of police in the neighborhoods not only reduces the opportunity for crime, but also fosters a sense of security and well-being among the residents. The meeting assisted creating a joint stakeholder environment between the public and the local police force. Both parties agreed to continue communicating among themselves and follow through on their concerns and issues raised at the meeting.
As the City of Eagle Pass continues to grow in population and technology places a greater role in society, it is important for citizens and the local police department to integrate the state of the art technology with the increase sophistication of public safety issues within the community. The second Community Outreach Meeting held at Burr Skate Park on July 10th was a success as both the public and local police department established a working relationship in combatting public safety issues within the community.
Police Chief Garza stated that he is holding another Community Outreach Meeting during August 2024 at a date, time, and location to be announced to continue opening the lines of communication and trust between the public and the local police department.
Attendees at the meeting were treated to refreshments and hot dogs as well as skateboarding at the skate park, a favorite among local teens and adolescents.
