del Moral Mealer unveils plan to address rising crime: 'We will fund 1,000 additional law enforcement'

The Republican nominee for Harris County’s top office revealed a plan on Wednesday to address crime, per a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC.

The station reported that Alexandra del Moral Mealer was joined by local law enforcement officials and other leaders to discuss what the challenger to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo described as a comprehensive plan to take on rising crime countywide.

According to del Moral Mealer, she has the votes and the financial support to boost law enforcement positions.

“We will fund 1,000 additional law enforcement. That’s how you make our community safe and that’s what are commitment of doing,” the Army veteran said, KPRC reported.

She emerged from a crowded field in March’s Texas Republican primaries.

The Republican has asserted that Hidalgo’s administration is responsible for the increase in the crime rates of Houston and surrounding areas.

During the press conference to announce her plan, KPRC reported, del Moral Mealer claimed that Hidalgo, a Democrat, refuses to engage her in a debate.

“And to Lina Hidalgo, I’m standing right here … How can voters make an informed decision if you don’t have the decency to stand behind your ideas and lets have a meeting of the mind and debate these policies,” she said, according to the station.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that Houston-area leaders are calling for "sensible gun legislation" as the county experienced nine shootings in a three-day span.

While violent crimes such as assault, rape and robbery have declined since last year, KTRK reported, the homicide rate in Houston continues to increase.

Recent polls have shown that Hidalgo may have a tougher path to a second term – she was first elected in 2018 – with del Moral Mealer trailing the incumbent by just a percentage point.