[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 131 (Friday, July 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE McALLEN POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 2020

  Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
McAllen Police Department for another successful year lowering overall 
crime in the City of McAllen, Texas.
  This is the 10th consecutive year the McAllen Police Department has 
successfully lowered crime, resulting in a 35-year low. McAllen's 
estimated population of 158,044 had a crime volume of 3,735 and a crime 
rate of 2,363 per 100,000 residents in 2019.
  In 2018, the population was 154,634 with the crime volume being 3,978 
and the crime rate being 2,573 per 100,000 residents. This shows that 
with a 2.2 percent growth in population, the McAllen Police Department 
was able to decrease the crime volume by 6.1 percent, and the crime 
rate by 8.1 percent in one year.
  I want to thank Police Chief Victor Rodriguez for his leadership in 
achieving this incredible milestone. Though he credits federal 
resources, technology and home surveillance systems for his 
department's success, it takes a true leader and an exemplary team to 
make a difference of this magnitude.
  I also want to thank the brave officers of the McAllen Police 
Department. Every day, they risk their lives in order to make our 
community safer. Our city is safer because of devoted officers like 
Edelmiro Garza, Jr. and Ismael Chavez who unfortunately made the 
ultimate sacrifice.
  Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the decade long 
achievement of the McAllen Police Department in lowering the crime in 
McAllen. Each member of the police department is an incredible leader 
in our community, and their legacy will no doubt inspire public service 
and volunteerism of future generations.

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