Texas lawmakers fight for more drones

Texan lawmakers are pushing federal officials to deploy more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along the state’s southern border with Mexico.

Currently one Predator drone patrols the skies above Texas’ border and the Gulf Coast, while three Predators operate out of Arizona and one in North Dakota.

Representative Henry Cuellar and (D – Texas) and two other congressman from Texas recently met with state and federal officials to lobby for the additional deployment of drones.

“Texas tends to be overlooked, probably for political reasons. We’re the logical spot. We have the most border, not to mention our coastline, and we need some more assets down here,” said Representative Blake Farenthold (R – Texas), who was also present at the meeting.

Local law enforcement officers have welcomed the drone’s capabilities, especially in light of drug-related activities and violence along the border.

Captain Bob Bullock Jr. of the Texas Rangers, said “It’s an officer safety issue. If I’ve got Rangers on the ground and there is a large group moving toward them, I can notify them of what’s ahead.”

Captain Bullock added that the drones provide situational awareness and intelligence to officers seeking to interdict shipments of contraband.

Predator drones are capable of flying for as long as twenty-four hours before needing to land and have a range of 500 miles.

As they have come to be embraced by U.S. law enforcement, drones have become an increasing source of tension from Mexican officials who believe they threaten their country’s sovereignty when flown in their airspace.