𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗚𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟵, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗗𝗢

Enrique Escobedo

December 13 will mark eleven years since the passing of Enrique Escobedo, then President of the BISD Board of Trustees. 

Escobedo identified himself as "Dr. Enrique Escobedo," claiming to be degreed as a medical doctor from the Universidad del Noreste in Tampico, but university officials told the Brownsville Herald that, while he'd "attended some classes" at the school, he never qualified for a degree.  

Escobedo's brother, Jaime, ran American Surveillance, a company providing security guards and security cameras, with both the City of Brownsville and the Brownsville Independent School District utilizing those services.  We're not certain if Enrique played any role in his brother's company.

Robert C. Luna

When the City Commission was considering issuing a $200,000 contract for security cameras at the Brownsville Sports Park, the city's purchasing manager, Robert C. Luna, trying to explain why the item was not put out for bids, referred to American Surveillance as a "sole source  supplier," implying they were the only company who could give the city what they needed.

When a commissioner asked Luna if American Surveillance was the only company in the United States selling security cameras, Luna got extremely non-plussed and could not give an answer.  Police Chief Carlos Garcia bailed Luna out, stepping up to the microphone to imply that American Surveillance was the only company that had the needed "software" for the cameras, a statement that seemed to satisfy most of the City Commission. (We learned at the time that only 13 of the contracted security cameras were ever installed at the sports park, although it's possible that in the intervening years those additional 27 were added.)

Also, when the city put out a contract for demolition work, American Surveillance represented themselves as being in that business as well, but were not awarded that contract.

Carlos Masso

As we reported some years ago, when the Port of Brownsville needed to replace some huge generators, American Surveillance got involved in that process.  Carlos Masso, then a member of the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Trustees, explained why he voted for the Escobedo company to get that contract:

"Regarding the contract with the Escobedos, I was not aware they owned the company. I do know that one of the Escobedos owns a security company named "American Security and Surveillance." The name of the company on the agenda was Valley American Contractors. Neither the agenda nor the backup to our agenda indicated that they were the owners. The company was the only bidder. Based on the information that was presented, if we didnt secure this generator now that it would cost us about 40% more if we waited to get a 2012 version which are not currently available. This generator would not have only been capable of meeting our power needs for the administrative building but also for the adjacent building. Furthermore, it was part of our security grant and the Port was putting in a matching contribution of 25%. Those were my reasons for voting for it. Not because it was the Escobedos company."(Former salesmen will recognize the sales gimmick of telling a customer the price will be going up and that they need to "buy now.")

Shortly before Enrique's death, the Escobedo brothers reserved the dining area of Cobbleheads to announce Enrique's run for District Clerk.

Waiting for the announcement at a table near the window, Enrique approached: "Are you going to write anything bad about me, Mr. Barton?"  I shook my head, having nothing predetermined to write.

"What are you running for?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm weighing my options, analyzing the candidates in the different races.  You will know in an hour," Enrique responded.

Enrique Escobedo passed away December 19, 2013, at the age of 44, an apparent suicide, but Jaime and wife Priscilla still run American Surveillance.