Subcommittees reach differing conclusions

Two subcommittees advising U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on highway checkpoint issues came to differing recommendations in the final report that will be reviewed Tuesday.

The Options Subcommittee said a permanent checkpoint “represents incomplete thinking” and as a solution to the “porous border, we believe it is unworkable.”

The other subcommittee, the Interim/Permanent Checkpoint Subcommittee, took no stand on the issue, but said if permanent checkpoints are selected, they should be well-funded, state-of-the-art facilities.

Giffords, D-Ariz., will chair a meeting of the Community Workgroup on Southern Arizona Checkpoints, a group she appointed.

It meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Sahuarita High School Auditorium.

The report will also be presented to Border Patrol sector chief Robert Gilbert at the meeting.

The issue of a checkpoint on Interstate 19 is a contentious issue in Southern Arizona.

Supporters of a permanent checkpoint, which includes the Border Patrol, say it would be part of a major strategy to thwarting illegal immigration and smuggling.

Opponents claim checkpoints are ineffective and are easily bypassed.

The Options Subcommittee said it believes that “maintaining permanent interior checkpoints represents incomplete thinking.”

A separate citizens’ coalition looking into border security also opposes permanent checkpoints.

The workgroup’s Options Subcommittee, like the citizens’ coalition, believes “very strongly that the international border and must be secured at the border.”

The options subcommittee said California has tried to close checkpoints, that New York stopped a permanent one from being built and after congressional scrutiny the operation of a Vermont checkpoint “has been scaled back significantly.”

The Options Subcommittee said:

Although permanent checkpoints have been part of the Border Patrol strategy for three decades, “The growth in illegal immigration and smuggling over the same time period continues unabated.”

Permanent checkpoints “cause an increase in crime in surrounding communities” as illegal entrants and drug and people smugglers attempt to circumvent the checkpoint.”

And “Finally the efficacy of permanent interior checkpoints never has been proven,” with data collected by the Border Patrol.

The subcommittee also said Arizona congressional representatives should provide legislative directives “and funding” to increase enforcement at the border.

The subcommittee also made 14 recommendations on securing the border, including assigning more agents at the border, building vehicle barriers on the border and establish “shared, interoperable communications” among the law enforcement agencies. Often one agency can’t communicate with another because of different radio systems.

The Interim/Permanent Checkpoint Subcommittee said if permanent checkpoints are installed on Southern Arizona highways they should be well funded and equipped.

That would include such things as VACIS, or Vehicle And Cargo Inspection System, and refrigerated areas where produce can be placed if a refrigerated truck is searched for contraband.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749