Star Report
K-9 UNIT
The Island police department’s newest member to the force is a four-legged K-9 named Berreta.
Berreta’s handler is South Padre Island Officer Albert Pelayo.
Berreta is a black-haired, 19-month-old German shepherd single purpose K-9 trained to identify narcotics.
Pelayo will take Berreta home every day and take care of the dog as if it were his own.
“It is a lot of dedication and training,” said Randy Smith, SPI police chief. “There are a lot of man hours and a lot of dedication that goes in from the officer.”
SWAT TEAM
The council approved Island police would join the San Juan/South Padre Island Law Enforcement Emergency Regional Response Team Agreement.
With this program, Island police will join forces with surrounding community police to address crisis situations.
The Island will have officers trained in tactical situations. South Padre Island Police Chief Randy Smith said there is a real need for it in today’s environment.
The program will train two to three officers from each police department for active shooting situations.
Officers will be trained for free. Two to three officers per city would train and respond in the event of critical threat.
RGV WALK OF FAME
Island resident Courtney Hayden has been nominated as a recipient from the Island of the 2017 Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame for Border Fest. Hayden’s name will be engraved in a brink at State Farm Arena.
Hayden was nominated by Mayor Pro-Tem Alita Bagley.
Bagley said Hayden has been instrumental in the community and is very dedicated to the city and is a very worthy recipient of the honor.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Many Island residents and business owners were appointed or reappointed to a number of vacant and expired terms on the city’s committees.
The city’s Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Board of Ethics, Convention and Visitors Advisory Board, Development Standards Review Task Force, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation and Beatification Committee, Planning and Zoning and Shoreline Task Force each received five to seven members.
BOAT RAMP PARKING
The council approved improving the city streets and provide parking to the only public boat ramp in the city.
The public parking will be for boat and trailer parking near the vicinity of the Polaris Street boat ramp.
The estimated cost to build the parking lot is about $82,000 to widen the streets and fix the drainage for 28 parking spots.
