TMCnet News
Border security meeting draws attention [The Deming Headlight, N.M.](Deming Headlight (NM) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Apr. 2--A meeting Wednesday on increasing border security included getting cell phone service in less-populated areas such as Southwest New Mexico. Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos called the meeting, held at the Mimbres Valley Learning Center to accommodate the 75 or so who attended, in response to the shooting death last Saturday of Arizona Rancher Robert Krentz, 58, on his ranch between Douglas and Apache. Rewards are being offered. It's believed an illegal immigrant is responsible, as footprints led to the border. "Secretary (Janet) Napolitano and the entire Department of Homeland Security share Arizona's outrage at the murder of Mr. Krentz," USBP Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler announced in a news release, Thursday. "To aid efforts to bring his killer to justice, secure our borders and enforce the department's mission, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and federal prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible." The Arizona Cattlegrowers Association is taking donations for a reward. "We need cell phones," said James Johnson, "whose family farms in Southern Luna County. "We need to look at this as an issue of national security. We need to be able to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and get something done." The meeting was attended by area and regional law enforcement, government agency reps and ranchers and farmers. Xochitl Torres, of Sen. Tom Udall's office; Jake Rollow, of Sen. Jeff Bingman's office; and Ginette Magaöa, of Rep. Harry Teague's office, attended. They are aware of the cell phone absence, they said. "We've been looking at Broadband," Torres said of one option. Johnson raised the cell phone issue years ago, as ranchers, farmers and others met with area officials in a Border Security Task Force. Radios were supplied to help ranchers in outlying areas with emergency contacts. Those phones, some said Thursday, no longer work. "I think every entity would be willing to sign a letter of support," Cobos said of trying to obtain cell service for outlying areas. "If we can get requisite cell towers to fill in the gaps, that will be a long-term solution." Cobos and others said companies view profits over servicing small areas. Law enforcement personnel told ranchers and farmers to be vigilant, report what seems out of place, be aware of surroundings and, if possible, not to work alone outside in remote areas. Gov. Bill Richardson has ordered the National Guard to the border to help with security. Guardsmen will be assigned to Border Patrol Agents, said Daniel Serrato, Agent-in-Charge of the Deming Station. Whether Guardsmen will be able to engage illegal immigrants has not been announced. "In addition to the operation," said John Wheeler, New Mexico's Secretary of Homeland Security, "one of the keys is the amount of dissemination of information. Knowledge is power." Kevin Buey can be reached at [email protected]. To see more of The Deming Headlight, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.demingheadlight.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Deming Headlight, N.M. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |