Road Construction Putting Penitas Police on Alert (KRGV-TX)

Road Construction Putting Penitas Police on Alert

Reported by: Camaron Abundes
Last Update: 6:40 pm 4/23/2010

PENITAS - Corporal R. Sanchez stands outside the Penitas Police Department, Friday. He said it's almost predictable. Pursuits, large loads of drugs, constant danger is an everyday concern.

"It's almost an everyday thing. Every other day we're having pursuits in reference to the same thing," Sanchez said.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS went to Penitas to interview Cpl. Sanchez about a pursuit Thursday. Twenty-four illegal immigrants were arrested, including the driver.

"Whether its drugs or people reporting undocumented aliens, stuff like that," he said it makes his job "very, very dangerous."

Halfway through the interview Sanchez is forced to leave. It's another pursuit coming in from Rio Grande City.

A Customs and Border Protection helicopter assisted in the sky. Police say smugglers and coyotes are using road construction on Expressway 83 to their advantage.

A vender selling watermelons said it's common to see helicopters flying low. He's only worked in the area for a month, but he has already noticed the trend.

Gustavo Avalos said his customers notice the police presence. He's not bothered by it. He likes seeing them patrol the area.

Friday afternoon, Cpl. Sanchez said he was too busy to complete the interview.

Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson Amy Rodriguez said the road repairs are expected to be finished by next Thursday.