Posted on 02/05/2006 10:52:02 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
Mirroring a trend across the U.S.-Mexico border, Laredo CBP Border Patrol agents have seen recent jumps in violent encounters.
Barely a week ago, Laredo agents on the U.S. side of the river were fired on by gunmen on the Mexican side in three separate incidents over two days.
On a Jan. 28 visit to Laredo, Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar said he expected more trouble as the agency beefs up enforcement along stretches of the border traditionally controlled by organized crime.
The job of the Border Patrol has always involved some danger, but recently the danger has increased, said Border Patrol spokesman Sal Zamora on Thursday.
"The frequency and boldness are whats elevated our sense of concern," Zamora said.
Some of the attacks on agents have come in broad daylight, he said.
Laredo has seen 10 assaults on agents since the fiscal year began in October, Aguilar said. The sector saw only six assaults in fiscal year 2004 and 19 in all of 2005.
Aguilar also made reference to multiple shooting incidents in the Laredo sector, but details of the incidents were not available until late last week.
There were three documented incidents of gunmen firing on agents between Jan. 24 and Jan. 26, Zamora said.
"These random sniper shootings at our agents are of grave concern," he said.
In the first incident, Laredo South agents were patrolling the river Jan. 24 in Rio Bravo near Centeno Lane when they spotted a dozen suspected undocumented immigrants.
The agents moved to arrest them and were fired on from the Mexican side of the river. They retreated to a safe distance with the immigrants before securing the area.
Twelve people were detained and no one was injured, Zamora said.
Later that day, agents were patrolling another section of the river in Rio Bravo at about 4:30 p.m. when they spotted suspected illegal immigrants in a van.
The immigrants bailed out of the van and swam across the river to the Mexican side, Zamora said.
As the agents were securing the scene, they were fired on from the other side of the river. The U.S. agents did not return fire.
Remote video surveillance cameras also detected random gunfire, and Webb County sheriffs deputies responded to a call for backup, Zamora said.
No one was injured, and no one was arrested.
Two days later, agents responded to a Department of Public Safety call on Pico Road after 9:30 a.m. They spotted four suspected illegal immigrants, who started swimming across the river.
As they investigated an abandoned vehicle, the agents were shot at by gunmen on the Mexican side. No one was injured, and the agents did not return fire.
Agents did not shoot back in any of the incidents, although it is within their authority to return fire, Zamora said.
Border Patrol agents are trained to use discretion when faced with violence, he said.
"We are confident that men and women of the Border Patrol are trained and equipped to take action against these assailants to safeguard not only the lives of the citizens we serve, but to protect (undocumented immigrants) in our custody," Zamora said.
Congress plans to hold hearings this week on reports of smugglers with military-style equipment crossing into Hudspeth County from the Mexican side.
(Clay Reddick may be reached at 728-2582 or clay@lmtonline.com.)
Just use troops to get control of our border!
"Just use troops to get control of our border!"
BTTT
They're just temporary guest killers trying to murder people that Americans refuse to kill.
Dear Mr. President: Militarize the borders NOW!!!!!
There should be NO part of the US border 'traditionally' controlled by anybody but the US!
Since we're not allowed to use spies to keep tabs on anybody anymore, we must assume that anyone trying to cross the border illegally is a terrorist or a drug smuggler.
Imagine the screams of outrage if we actually secured (not closed) the border and issued "shoot on sight" orders to the guards?
A few years back, we could have bought the Berlin Wall and the German section of the Iron Curtain for pennies on the dollar. We could have brought the whole shebang, along with the trained guards and their dogs, over here and set it up on our Southern border. Too bad we missed the chance.
Which is exactly why these incidences have escalated. Should have shot them the first time and we wouldn't be having this trouble now. Lock down the border NOW!
BUMP!
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