Gang-style violence on the rise here - Border law enforcement collaborating to target upswing (Note: No matter how it's painted, the only truly secure picture for America is Close Our Borders to Illegal Invaders. They are NOT "immigrants" and they do not come here to become law-abiding citizens. Why keep treating them as though they are?) November 11, 2005 By Sara Ines Calderon sicalderon@brownsvilleherald.com  The Brownsville Herald Brownsville, Texas http://www.brownsvilleherald.com   To submit a Letter to the Editor: dfullerton@brownsvilleherald.com   Gangs, drug cartels and increasing border violence were the topic of discussion at a multi-agency seminar Thursday at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Brownsville. The aim of the seminars is to share information across local, state and federal agencies in order to “make effective progress” against drug trafficking, violence and terrorism, according to U.S. Border Patrol officials. “It’s information sharing and feedback to establish a network of information to prevent a crime, instead of just writing up a report,” said Jaime Salazar, the agent in charge of intelligence for the sector. The Rio Grande Valley sector Border Patrol hosted the event, which was attended by more than 200 local police departments from all over the Valley, sheriff’s departments, state agencies, members of the military, the FBI, DEA, ATF, and even the police department from Tucson, Arizona. “We are providing the intelligence to make sure we are able to protect against terrorist attacks, drugs and violence from coming into the country,” Salazar said. The Border Patrol hosted the event, but intelligence presented to the law enforcement agencies came from a variety of sources, including the FBI, ATF and Coast Guard. “This is the latest information from the border, that hits here before it effects the interior of the U.S.,” Salazar said. Activities of gangs such as the Mara Salvatruchas and the Aryan Nation have increased overall, and in the Valley, he said. “With all of these (immigrants from different) nations we detain here, there are certain problems with gangs,” Salazar explained. Since this sector of the Border Patrol detains more Other Than Mexican (OTM) immigrants than any other sector, there is an increased chance of Mara Salvatrucha gang activity. Information sharing is especially vital because people will eventually react to new policies, Salazar said, thus creating the need for newer policies. “When we do something and it’s effective, they are going to retaliate.” The seminar is the third intelligence and liaison seminar held this year, the next is scheduled for February. Copyright 2005, The Brownsville Herald. http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=P68019_0_10_0