Operation Border Star: Wasted Millions and Missed Opportunities

Operation Border Star (“Border Star”) is the latest in a succession of homeland security efforts implemented in Texas. In the 80th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature appropriated $110 million for border security efforts, calling for multi-agency collaboration to respond to violent crime, drug smuggling and the threat of terrorism. This report examines the data reported by eleven of the almost 40 participating local law enforcement entities who were awarded $5 million through Operation Border Star during the latter half of 2007 and into 2008, and suggests more effective strategies to make Texans safer.