Border Patrol to add more beacons in desert

The News (Mexico City) ^ | August 4, 2002

[sarcasm]

YUMA, Arizona - The U.S. Border Patrol plans to set up eight more signal beacons in remote desert areas where illegal immigrants have died or become stranded while crossing the Mexico-Arizona border.

The beacons, 30-foot (9-meter) towers that when activated by a desperate border crosser will send a distress signal to the Border Patrol, will be located around the 2 million-acre (800,000-hectare) Barry Goldwater Air Force Range southeast of Yuma, patrol spokesman Mike McGlasson said.

The first beacon went in Friday with another to follow during the weekend. Patrol officials are selecting sites for the rest, McGlasson said.

"We're trying to cover the most dangerous areas of our part of the desert," he said.

The patrol's Yuma Sector, which covers the border in southwestern Arizona and part of California, began operating six other beacons last March between San Luis, Arizona, and the Gila Mountains.

One of those signal towers was responsible for the June 14 rescue of three men who had become separated from their group while crossing the desert, McGlasson said.

Border Patrol agents rescued the men about 20 minutes after they pushed the button to activate the beacon and also found the other people they were traveling with, he said.

The group had become dehydrated while walking in the 109 degree-Fahrenheit (43 degree-Celsius) heat and required minor medical attention, McGlasson said.

The solar-powered beacons are covered in mirrors and topped with fist-sized flashing strobe lights. The mirrors and lights, which blink every 10 seconds, are meant to help guide lost illegal immigrants to the beacons and can be seen from miles away during the day and night.

McGlasson said officials designed the beacons after a group of 14 undocumented Mexican immigrants died of exposure in the vast, barren desert in southwestern Arizona in May 2001.

[ECM]

A potentially stupid question: are the ones they've already shelled out $$$ for being used?

[Nayt2]

another question, who cares? these people are crossing illegally, i don't want to pay to aid them in their crime.

[Risa]

Setting up beacons is tantamount to sanctioning criminal behavior. Who pays for these criminal beacons? What do they do with these distressed criminals?
Risa

[BOBWADE]

Why not use landmines instead? They would be much more cost effective.

[ECM]

I care, because it's bad enough that I'm funding these things if they currently aren't being used--if they're building more, that means more of my cash down a sinkhole.

[Utmost Certainty]

As I understand, the prospect of death can be a very effective strategy for defending the borders, deterring at least some of them I'm sure. So much for that now of course. More fodder to swell the ranks of the democratic party voting bloc.

[Pistolshot]

Um....so you would rather these people die? Some parts of the desert they cross do not have ANY water or shelter. The BP only patrols these areas by air now, in the past on horse, and until recently, by jeep. These people are looking for a better life for themselves and their children. They take the worst jobs, for the least amount of pay because the country they are from has the worst forms of poverty, and not just in Mexico. Illegals come from all parts of South America. Why?

Because of this dream called America. I do not condone their actions, but I do admire their tenacity to get to a land where opportunity is available to those who seek it.

[sarcasm]

These people are looking for a better life for themselves and their children.

And cost the American taxpayers a fortune.

[Pistolshot]

Some do......but most want to earn their pay and get their children something they never had.....a future.

You seem to forget this country was founded on each man getting a chance to succeed without regard to race, creed, or color. No one to tell you what to be or how far you can go.

What price for freedom and a future?

[dennisw]

I do not condone their actions, but I do admire their tenacity to get to a land where opportunity is available to those who seek it.
_______________________________

Then invite them to live in your house for few years while you can tell them how much you admire their tenacity.

[sarcasm]

I don't care why the come - it is not my concern; I just want this invasion stopped.

[sarcasm]

the = they

[Pistolshot]

Your white sheets are showing.

[sarcasm]

Typical liberal smear tactic.

[dennisw]

Where did you get that one? In kindergarden?

[Pistolshot]

Sorry, not a liberal. I am most definitely conservative.

You , however seem to think this country is only intended for those who are acceptable to you, not on what the foundations of this land have been for over 200 years.

[sarcasm]

You seem to be unable to grasp the concept of the rule of law.

[Madame Dufarge]

You seem to forget this country was founded on each man getting a chance to succeed without regard to race, creed, or color.

Wasn't it also founded on the rule of law?

[Utmost Certainty]

They need to go make a future in their own country. They aren't special. Millions of individuals in the past came over here seeking a better life, but most of them did it legally. Why can't they? I'm also a little dissapointed that there is a demonstratable lack of will on part of many Mexicans to assimilate into American society. I've witnessed quite a few openly insult this country. A sizeable number refuse to learn English. Some years back, when the US soccer team was to play the Mexican soccer team in Los Angeles, the US soccer team was booed, spat upon, and met with a hail of garbage by as they introduced themselves on to the field. All on home soil by those in the stadium. I think the game had to be canceled. See a problem here yet?