La Grange Could Get DPS Headquarters

County Judge Joe Weber said the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) wants to place a sergeant’s headquarters in Fayette County. “A couple of days ago DPS notified me and said they are interested, extremely interested, in putting a sergeant’s headquarters here in the County,” Weber said during a Commissioners Court last Thursday, Sept. 1. DPS Sgt. Jeremy Weiser told the Record this week that DPS leaders are planning for such a move, but no decision has been made yet.

Weber said the move would add three troopers to the five already assigned to Fayette County. DPS currently operates out of an office next to the Police Station on College Street in La Grange and out of the County Building on Paulus Street in Schulenburg.

“We’re in the process of trying to find some space for them,” Weber said.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff asked whether the County would have to purchase property for them. Weber said he would like to house the headquarters in office space that the County already owns. Berckenhoff asked whether the old EMS Headquarters on Camp Street would be suitable. Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom said the old EMS Headquarters may not be secure enough for DPS.

“We need to look at what’s available,” McBroom said. “We may have to shift some things around.”

“So it will be in one of our facilities that we’re already paying utilities on?” asked County Auditor Cindy Havelka.

“Yes, there won’t be any increase in cost,” McBroom said.

Weber said DPS has been considering the move for years.

“With what’s been going on at the border and their budget issues, they have struggled with it a little bit, but now they’ve decided they want to go ahead,” Weber said.