Sheriff concerned about violence, plans volunteer patrol

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | 1/30/04 | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

BISBEE - Sheriff Larry Dever said Thursday that illegal immigrants are becoming more brazen putting the lives of Cochise County residents in jeopardy.

An extreme example of how dangerous the border situation has become is a Thursday morning carjacking, during which a woman and her daughter were assaulted at their residence by three Mexican nationals who illegally entered the United States, Dever said.

"They (illegal immigrants) are more desperate and obviously they don't care about American citizens," he said.

Dever said some illegal immigrants are showing up at school bus stops, and his deputies are patrolling those in rural areas near the border to make sure nothing happens.

The sheriff said a group of volunteers is needed to work with the deputies to keep on eye on school bus stops.

His department is working to set up such a program.

"It's still in its infant stage," Dever said.

Citizen complaints about problems involving illegal immigrants have increased, although the sheriff said he could not put a percentage of the increase.

He said the increase in complaints are tied to the upward trend of more illegal immigrants crossing the border into the United States through Cochise County.

Deputies also are finding larger groups of illegal immigrants.

"Now there are 30, 40 or 50 in a group," Dever said.

A couple of years ago, groups ranged from six to 10 people, he said.

With only 75 deputies to cover the county's 6,000 plus square miles, the sheriff said he does not have the personnel to deal with a failed federal policy.

Dever's voice reflected cool anger about the problems illegal immigrants are causing for the county's residents.

Until the federal government controls the border, the sheriff said the situation is going to continue to get worse and Cochise County residents will suffer.

And Dever said proposals about creating a new guest-worker program are doomed to fail unless the border is secured. U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake and U.S. Sen. John McCain, all Arizona Republicans, have offered up a guest-worker proposal, as has President George W. Bush.

"Without securing the border no socio-economic solution will be a success," Dever said about the proposals.

Thursday's incident left a woman, her daughter and their family in emotional distress, Dever said. He wants to meet with the family to express his concerns about what happened.

"They are going to have emotional scars for the rest of their lives. It (the carjacking and beatings) will be a bad memory for their entire life," Dever said.

The fortunate part of Thursday's incident was that the Sheriff's Department and U.S. Border Patrol worked together to capture three illegal immigrants allegedly involved in the carjacking and assaulting of the 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter.

U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Naco Station apprehended the three men.

"What was lacking was the prevention because the border is not secured," Dever said.

The surge in illegal immigrant activity in the county is a bad sign for the area's residents, he added.

"We have been fighting this battle for almost six years now. It is frankly remarkable that we have not experienced more of these kinds of events (the carjacking), given the large number of desperate people (illegal immigrants) traveling through residential areas," Dever said.

He asked that residents be more aware of their surroundings and call law enforcement agencies if they see anything amiss.

[SandRat]

Oh you mean Jihad NapolitRENO?

[SandRat]

This is almost like the VC guerrilla attacks. Time to put trip wires and claymores on the property lines. (with no warning signs)

I prefer Bouncing Betties and ButterFly toe poppers.

[Missouri]

I hope the "immigrant rights" activist don't come calling.

You know that the Southern Law Poverty pimps, LaRaza, and the ACLU will be parachuting lawyers in at the first sign of trouble. One good thing is that the sheriff has a badge and support of the people of Cochise County behind him. Regular citizens envolve in an incident with illegals could be in real trouble in this world turned upside down.

[Missouri]

Ping.

[archy]

Might be time to revive some of the ways of the Old West. my state allows the use of lethal force to prevent a carjacking... how bout AZ? Of course, if you've got 40-50 of em heading towards ya...

Funny, the farmers and *brightlighters* police reservists didn't have much of a problem, even with teams of 25-50 Kalishnikov-armed guerillas. Four-man *sticks* of reservist troopies with FAL rifles, a farmer and his wife, maybe with a son or two, with an extra FAL or scoped rifle, usually a 12-bore shotgun for the wife and kids, and maybe an old Bren or MAG light MG to round out things.

And oh yes, an A76 patrolphone or AgricAlert radio to give a call to Fire Force as a blocking party and sweep team.

Sopmetimes as many as 5 or 10 of the terrorists made it back across the border. Not usually.

[Dr. Marten]

"They (illegal immigrants) are more desperate and obviously they don't care about American citizens"

Exactamundo! Thanks a lot Mr. Bush. If encouragement was your goal...consider it a success.

[B4Ranch]

The best results I've ever seen from claymores was skull high, tree supported, aimed slightly downward. Hamburgered about fifteen VC. Not one face was recognizable. The trip wires were at twenty feet and these guys were doing a slow run in.

[B4Ranch]

"Some people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them."


That may change sooner than they think, huh?

[JackelopeBreeder]

I'm fairly certain the Mexican consul in Agua Prieta has already seen this article and has been burning up the phone lines. More Maalox moments for political pissants on both sides of the border.

Weasely Clark is supposed to be here in Sierra Vista tomorrow morning. Let's see if he can say something exceptionally stupid about the border situation...

[B4Ranch]

That's a guaranteed bet.LOL

[SandRat]

When his back is up our Sheriff can be meaner than Joe Arippiao and Judge Roy Bean combined. So barking at the Sheriff by the immigrant - rightists might not be something they want to do.

[FITZ]

I'm never very surprised when violence spills over the border because it's real bad on the other side of that border. Carjackings are nothing in Mexico, there the crime is kidnappings for ransom --- they're relieved if it's only for the car.

[SandRat]

That's the problem trees are hard to find esppecially trees of the height you cite.

[Righty1]

This guy will get no support from other "law enforcement" types as they have unanimously rejected citizen help since WW II. GW's dufus amnesty plan looks worse every damned day!!!!!!!

[AZHSer]

Thanks for posting this article. I was gone most of the day and couldn't follow up on the one I posted.

[janetgreen]

Might be time to revive some of the ways of the Old West.

Good idea, knowing that AZ is a "carry" state. That would be "Americans doing the job that its government won't do"

[TruthNtegrity]

Hey! I didn't know you were back.

If you have a ping list, put me on it please.

Here in No. VA, I'm beginning to feel more and more like I'm in a border state. Won't go into it - gets my Bp up and it's time for me to be calming down, to go to bed. The summary? THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

Thanks for all you've done in your part of our Country.

TNT

[Minuteman23]

BTTT. Good article.

[calawah98]

Are you going to ask him what his views are on illegal immigration?

I know what the answer will be, then you should suggest he take a trip along the border, and ask how he would like all that humanity coming thro his yard.

[taxed2death]

That is one of the best statements I've read in months!!!
"Americans doing the job the government won't do".

Superb!