'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUI/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAznBD/8QAHRAAAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEDBBEAIQUGMf/aAAgBAQABPwCFxDj/AF6XLSRHBkDGxJtVMlpapa17i6z/xAAUEQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAECAQE/AH//xAAUEQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAEDAQE/AH//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Chicano Squad happens to be an innovative docuseries by A&E that explores major incidents from the late 1970s and shows the era when the Houston Police Department established its first entirely Latino homicide squad. It was in response to escalating crime rates and unresolved murder cases affecting the Latino population.
The series kicked off on September 2, 2024 examining various notable cases. The second episode, set to broadcast on September 3, 2024, zeroes in on the distressing abduction of Liliana Reyes.
In October 1987, in Houston, Texas, a homeless woman named Aajdee Olivia Gill from Puebla, Mexico, was taken in by the Reyes family for a night. She took advantage of their hospitality, kidnapping their 14-month-old daughter, Liliana Reyes from her crib during the night. The Reyes family had welcomed Gill into their home on Jensen Street unaware of her intentions.
Trending
The disappearance of Liliana was quickly reported and taken up by the Chicano Squad, an all-Latino police unit of the Houston Police Department. Detectives Raymond Gonzales and Jose Selvera led the investigation.
They discovered Gill’s identity and learned she might be heading back to Mexico. Through cooperation with Mexican authorities and communication with Gill's mother, they tracked down Gill and the child.
Funding for the rescue operation was provided by a local media outlet in exchange for exclusive coverage of the case. Marina Reyes, Liliana's mother, traveled to Mexico with the detectives where they successfully retrieved Liliana.
The child was safely returned to her family in Houston, which marked a successful conclusion to a distressing ordeal and demonstrated effective cross-border police work by the Chicano Squad.
Five mind-blowing details about The Chicano Squad
#1 Rapid clearance rate
The Chicano Squad quickly made its mark by clearing 40 murder cases within their first 90 days. This unprecedented success rate was virtually unheard of at the time, especially considering the complexity and backlog of cases they had inherited.
It demonstrated their efficiency and the effectiveness of having a specialized unit within the police force that could connect more personally with the community.
#2 First of its kind
Established in 1979, the Chicano Squad was the first all-Latino homicide unit in the United States, and the formation was a strategic response to the rising crime rates and unsolved murders in the Latino communities of Houston.
By staffing the unit entirely with Latino officers, the Houston Police Department aimed to improve trust and communication between the police force and the Latino population.
#3 Cultural connection
The members of the Chicano Squad grew up in the neighborhoods they patrolled. The personal connection to the community helped them gain trust quickly and gather vital information that non-Latino officers might not have accessed.
Moreover, their ability to communicate in Spanish and understanding of cultural nuances proved essential in solving cases involving Latino victims and suspects.
#4 Media involvement in operations
In a notable case of Liliana Reyes’ kidnapping, the Chicano Squad secured funding for their operation by partnering with a media outlet that covered the travel expenses to Mexico in exchange for exclusive coverage of the investigation.
That not only helped solve the case but also spotlighted the squad’s innovative approaches to overcoming logistical and financial hurdles.
#5 Lasting impact and legacy
The effectiveness of the Chicano Squad led to its recognition and expansion within the Houston Police Department. Their success also prompted other police departments across the country to consider similar formations.
The unit solved crimes and played a major role in shaping community policing strategies, showcasing the importance of diversity and cultural competence within law enforcement agencies.
Viewers can watch the seond episode on September 3, 2024, on A&E.
