Checkpoint meeting becomes contentious

For the third time in recent weeks, the Community Workgroup on Southern Arizona Check-points reconvened at the Villages Recreation Center Monday night, this time with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

Giffords was present to speak about her efforts to boost border security and to hear residents’ concerns about a permanent U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Tubac.

The importance of border security and local checkpoint concerns attracted an audience of about 200. Among those present were Sahuarita Town Manager Jim Stahle, Executive Director of the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Jim DiGiacomo, Carol Cullen of the Tubac Chamber of Commerce, Kurt Ahrens of the Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Marcelino Varona of the Nogales Chamber of Commerce.

In Giffords' opening remarks, she spoke of “serious threats and new threats to our national security.”

A news release from her office dated June 4 said, “U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced today that the U.S. Border Patrol agreed to her request to deploy more agents and technology along I-19, a major corridor for smuggling drugs and humans into the United States.”

After hearing dramatic testimonials at meetings and reading news account of the situations, Giffords wrote to Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar seeking immediate help.

In response, Aguilar's office sent Giffords a letter outlining six steps to improve current concerns.

These include assigning three agents per shift to patrol Tubac and the immediate area, ground sensors being deployed to the area surrounding Tubac alerting agents to potential illegal traffic, Sky Watch towers with day and nighttime cameras flanking the I-19 checkpoint, a Ground Surveillance Radar unit including agents on all-terrain vehicles and 11 agents on horseback covering two different shifts flanking the I-19 checkpoint.

Speaking about plans for an interim checkpoint just north of Amado at milepost 50, Tucson Sector Assistant Chief John Fitzpatrick said I-19 is their first priority as it has the largest volume of traffic; one half of all marijuana comes through the Tucson Sector.

Vocal audience

Residents who attended were vocal about their concerns regarding the checkpoint and its ultimate location. “It appears plans are in place without community input… exactly what is negotiable?” one woman asked.

When Cullen of the Tubac Chamber of Commerce asked, “What's the drawback of a permanent checkpoint to the community?” Fitzpatrick said he didn't know of any drawbacks. “We need to look at the pros and cons… we need answers to community questions,” Cullen said.

Speaking her mind, Carol St. John said, “You can't think of any cons? That's scary.”

Another resident said, “I'm hearing it's a done deal… why the hell am I here.”

Giffords called the present situation “unacceptable” and promised not to sit idly by but to do everything in her power to get the help needed from the federal government. “The reason we haven't been successful is we haven't had the technology,” she said.

For the Community Workgroup to proceed effectively, she urged members to come up with a set of recommendations acknowledging that there will not be a consensus among all.

Concerns about outdoor lighting at the checkpoint, focusing security on the frontage roads and not forgetting the goal of securing the border were also raised.

Other locations

When one woman asked why the interim checkpoint can't be located at kilometer 5 or 10 and not 50, she said, “Every mile north exponentially increases the number of square miles (for illegals and drug trafficking).

Responding, the mayor of Nogales Ignacio Barraza said the town has had checkpoint issues for 10 years. “We need to find a credible solution; it will take many components… the storm has been gathering south of us for years… no one wants it in their backyard,” he said.

When one man in the audience asked how many favored the proposed location of the interim checkpoint only one hand of approximately 200 went up. Varona of the Nogales Chamber of Commerce outlined a number of positive reasons for a checkpoint. Mexico exports their poverty and unemployment to the U.S. and knows their children will be cared for, educated and their medical needs taken care of, he said, adding that delaying a permanent checkpoint in Santa Cruz County jeopardizes public safety.

“Safety and security are more important than the minute it takes to go through the checkpoint,” Varona said.

Summing up the evening, Cullen said she “looks forward to the challenge of being more successful than any other community (with a checkpoint) in the U.S.; Nan Walden of FICO called for “a common goal of effective enforcement” and the need to work together.

The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 18; the location has not been determined.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.