Posted on 02/07/2009 6:54:01 AM PST by SandRat
BISBEE — Smugglers recently removed two mesh panels from U.S.-Mexico border fencing located east of the San Pedro River, and Border Patrol officials have repaired them.
The precise location of these fence sections is near low-water crossing number 38, known as Gringo Wash.
The damage to one section was discovered on Jan. 28. Officials fixed it late last week. Officials noticed the damage on the other section last Monday and it was fixed this week.
Bill Odle, who owns land along the border near the San Pedro River, said the smugglers cut out the entire mesh fencing panels and then replaced them so it appeared they had not been tampered with.
He thinks they were moving vehicles across with the use of a small ramp, based on the large size of the opening and the presence of tracks on both sides of the border.
Mike Scioli, a public information officer for Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector, said every 48 hours a team goes out and puts patches onto the fencing where it has been breached.
“Agents working in the field who notice anything like that make sure a report gets sent in and they relay it to that crew and they take care of it also,” he said.
The government decided to build fencing with the “eye-aesthetically pleasing” mesh material because “a lot of people said they didn’t want the fence because it blocked their view of Mexico,” Scioli said.
Also, he said, the mesh material “is hard to climb because the little squares are so small you can’t get fingers or a foot grip in them.” More importantly, he added, the Border Patrol’s camera systems can see through it.
The mesh is thin, however, making it relatively easy for someone to use a torch to cut through it. Not all sections of fencing in the area consist of the mesh material.
“We have a number of different styles throughout the sector,” Scioli said. “There is the bollard-style that is concrete filled. It goes about 4 to 5 feet into ground and is about 14 to 16 feet high.”
Odle said the fencing is clearly not stopping people. Not only do they climb over it, they also cut it open so they can travel through it.
Angela de Rocha, of Customs and Border Protection’s office of public affairs in Washington, D.C, said the fence is only one part of a three-element strategy, including fence, surveillance technology and increased Border Patrol manpower.
“The purpose of the fence is to slow illegal crossers down enough that the Border Patrol can catch them,” she said.
REPORTER Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
Border Ping
So...how's that workin out for ya!
We need an electrified barbed-wire fence, backed by a moat, backed by a solid wall with more barbed-wire on top.
If all else fails, shoot them!
I bet that’s a mighty fine barrier.
1 - Look something like a fence to keep "The Loud People" quiet.
2 - Be easy to climb over, disassemble, take apart or pry apart to facilitate illegal border crossing.
To bad the designer didn't know about concrete and barbed wire.
"Part of the border fence west of Naco sits pried apart
earlier this week along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Border
Patrol says repairs are made daily to the miles-long fence."
Exactly why we need a double fence with 30 feet between fences and have them both electrified.
They sure can waste our money.
A fence is too little protection; we need a freakin’ WALL! BUILD THE WALL, NOW!
A few mines planted at the joints in the fence could be helpful as well.
Of course a fence is not perfect...but it does slow down potential lawbreakers
Anytime something related to border security is affected...the America-Haters, Economic Anti-Americans, the NAFTA crowd, and every assorted pro- illegal alien kook will come out and bash border security
The fence is a lot better than nothing
Electrify the fence. Shoot whomever manages to cut through it.
The moat was a nice touch, too ;-)
AITMGs....also nice ;)
Bamboo would have been cheaper and serve the same purpose.
“The government decided to build fencing with the “eye-aesthetically pleasing” mesh material because “a lot of people said they didn’t want the fence because it blocked their view of Mexico,” Scioli said.”
What? They might miss looking at the tons of garbage???
Pandering to these whims is just stooopid!
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