Other crimes have dropped in Laredo in recent years. Abuse at home has not.

That is what Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez told local leaders on Tuesday. They met at the Webb County Sheriff's Office. A group that fights abuse at home held its 30th yearly event there. It is the Webb County Domestic Violence Coalition. Leaders named October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a month to speak up about abuse at home.

"We just cannot seem to find how to decrease this type of crime," Rodriguez said.

He was talking about abuse at home. He also meant sex crimes and attacks on women and kids.

Thirty years is a long time to keep up the fight. Sheriff Martin Cuellar said real change comes when people stand together.

A survivor stood with them. Her name is Erica Torres. In June 2024, her ex-husband, Billy Delgado, shot her several times. It happened during a custody exchange. Torres has had more than 30 surgeries since then. She spent about a year in the hospital.

Torres took the stand at his trial. In July 2025, a jury found Delgado guilty. The charge was aggravated assault on a family member with a deadly weapon. It is a crime of hurting family. He got 50 years in prison.

Torres has a message for anyone stuck in a bad home.

"My message is I understand it's not going to be easy to leave," Torres said. "But it's very, very, very important that you take the measures you have to take to protect yourself."

DA Isidro "Chilo" Alaniz runs the office that put Delgado away. He said cases like that need brave victims.

"In my role, it's about accountability in the courtroom," Alaniz said. "And that can't happen without the courage of the victims."

Alaniz's office handles adult cases. Cases against kids go to County Attorney Marco Montemayor's office. His first assistant, Rolando Garza, said abuse at home hurts kids too.

He said it reaches "our children, our schools, our neighborhoods."

He said his office talks to young people about healthy relationships. They talk about respect and trust. They talk about signs of a partner who wants to control you.

Rodriguez also said where his own cops fall short. He said men can be victims too. He said his officers have let victims down after an arrest.

"When we make an arrest, we give a pamphlet to the victim and we forget about them," Rodriguez said. "We can't do that."

The chief said a fix is on the way. The city is fixing up a building at 4812 N. Bartlett Ave. Women hurt at home or by sex crimes will be able to go there. They can meet with a nurse and a helper. A victim worker and a detective will be there too. They will not have to go to the police station.

"We're already starting the remodel, and it's all going to be for women," Rodriguez said.

Jerry Garza will soon take over as Webb County Judge. He spent 20 years as a news reporter and anchor. He said people often think abuse could never touch them.

"This is where we learn that it's exactly the right moment to get involved, stand up and say, 'No. It stops here,'" he said.

Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño is also a doctor. He spoke right to people who are being hurt at home now.

He had a short message for them. "You are not alone," Treviño said. "Help is available, and our community stands with you."

County Treasurer Raul Reyes read the county's formal statement. He read it for County Judge Tano Tijerina.

The work goes on this week. The group holds its 30th yearly conference on Thursday, Oct. 1. It runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be at Texas A&M International University in Laredo.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call these numbers.

Casa de Misericordia, a shelter for abuse victims in Laredo: (956) 712-9591. Toll free: 1-877-782-2722.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233. You can also text START to 88788. Help is offered in English and Spanish.

If you are in danger right now, call 911.