Ivory Tower

Today’s music dedication is for Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio: “I’m a Man,” by the Spencer Davis Group.

***

     Old Omar really put it to the county judge, didn’t he? Imagine — Carlos Cascos wanted to know if Lucio was putting deputies at the international bridges to check for stolen cars like he was supposed to. Poor Omar. Nobody appreciates all the things he tries to do for this county. No wonder he always looks so sad.

     But Omar got his revenge, didn’t he? Yep, the Big O put the deputies on the bridges, all right. Stopped every car that came close, too. Backed up traffic so much that people were screaming bloody murder because they were missing appointments and such.

     That’ll show them mandones at Commissioners Court. Forget the fact that the county gives Omar half a million dollars to pay for the bridge duty, in addition to the state and federal money that Omar gets to watch our borders. And never mind that taking all that money — whether it comes from the taxpayers or not — and not using it for the purpose it was given can be considered fraud. We’re sure our local sheriff would be happy to explain the laws against — oh, wait — Omar is the sheriff. Never mind.

     If he doesn’t want the job, we’re sure there are plenty of other folks who would gladly take the money and set up a bridge detail. Don’t both the district attorney and tax collector have their own auto theft task forces?

     Omar Lucio obviously is a proud man, and apparently doesn’t like to be dressed down in public (who does?). Maybe the problem is that he’s too proud to admit he’s been given the job without being told how to do it, and he can’t admit his ignorance. It’s possible.

     Fortunately, we’ve been on hand for auto theft detail at these very bridges, with other law enforcement agencies. In case it will help the sheriff’s sentries, here’s the routine:

     At the beginning of each shift, detail members are told of any vehicles that have been reported stolen recently, so they’ll know which ones deserve a closer look.

     At the bridge, they approach an oncoming car and do quick checks of the vehicle identification number plate on the dashboard, the locks on the car and the steering column to check for damage. Make sure there’s a key in the ignition switch. Check the driver for any signs of nervousness, and if everything looks kosher, send him on his merry way.

     Once it becomes routine, the whole process only takes a couple of seconds.

     Of course, no system is failproof, and a few stolen cars might still get through. But the very presence of officers on the bridge acts as a deterrent, especially if they know what they’re doing. Case in point: monthly car thefts once numbered in the hundreds and were brought down to the teens when bridge details were implemented more than a decade ago. And that’s why they should continue.

     And that’s the kind of responsibility that will make a man out of ya.