Texas Border Business
Following a deadly rollover crash in McAllen during the early hours of Saturday, November 29, 2025 — a tragedy authorities have linked to the ongoing issues surrounding the 17th Street Entertainment District — Mayor Javier Villalobos publicly addressed the incident and the growing safety concerns tied to nightlife operations in the area.
The mayor posted the following message on his official social media account, accompanied by an image of the heavily damaged Bronco involved in the crash.
“This morning, our community awoke to yet another tragic fatality tied to the 17th Street Entertainment District, minors, and drunk driving. Despite exercising the full extent of municipal authority, these repeated tragic incidents underscore a dangerous reality: current safeguards are insufficient, and the public’s safety is routinely and continuously compromised by operators and landowners who value profit over human life.
As Mayor of McAllen, I am compelled to call upon our State Officials for immediate action. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) must intensify its enforcement presence and ensure that establishments operating in violation of the law are held accountable. Given the limited resources and large territories assigned to TABC regional offices, local governments must also be empowered with stronger statutory authority to impose reasonable safeguards tailored to the unique challenges of entertainment districts.
Specifically, I urge you to:
• Direct TABC to immediately increase enforcement on establishments that enable underage drinking, overserving, and unsafe practices;
• Strengthen state law to allow municipalities to impose local safeguards—such as enhanced age verification requirements, limited hours, stricter permitting standards, curfews, and operational controls—without being preempted;
• Impose stiffer penalties on operators and landowners who disregard public safety, including escalating fines, permit revocations, and civil liability for repeated violations.
McAllen has acted decisively—revoking permits, mandating safeguards, issuing citations, and filing civil actions for injunctive relief—but without stronger state support and legislative tools, our efforts cannot fully protect residents and visitors. The loss of life we witnessed today is yet another painful reminder that incremental measures are not enough.
I implore you to stand with McAllen and communities across Texas by advancing legislation and enforcement that prioritize safety over profit. Together, we can prevent further tragedies and restore public trust in our entertainment districts.”
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