Guest Comment: Diligence, vigilance can stop illegal activity

It never ceases to amaze me how many of my fellow Arizona residents just don’t get it!

The “it” is the seriousness of the illegal alien/drug smuggling going on in our own backyard. Yes, it is right here in Green Valley. And, we have let it happen through apathy.

The Santa Cruz Valley corridor remains one of the most active for illicit activity right under our collective noses. But, many of our residents are completely oblivious to the obvious, or they simply don’t care.

Of course, some will actually aid and abet illegal activity, for whatever their reasons. We will always have misguided people for which there is little hope. The aiders and abettors are criminals but they don’t accept that fact. Obviously, they do not respect the rights of their fellow citizens, by committing these felonious acts.

Recently, Green Valley became the 11th-most undesirable place to retire in the United States, according to freelance writer Carol Vinzant. The story was distributed by America Online. Whether you think that is a fair appraisal or not, perception becomes reality in the minds of many readers around the world. And, it travels like wildfire!

“Drug smugglers curtail scientist’s work” was the head line of an article appearing in the Dec. 27 edition of USA Today. Many scientists have curtailed their scientific activity in Southern Arizona. “In the last year it has gotten much worse” according to Jack Childs, who studies endangered jaguars. Botanist, Richard Felger stated: “I got kind of allergic to pistols being held to my forehead” by drug smugglers and the likes. Many others are quoted in this article.

“It can’t be,” say some. “Green Valley is a peaceful place to live” others will tell you. “There must be some mistake.” Those denying the fact say that we should invite Vinzant, Katie Couric and other media types to view the area for themselves.

Not so fast! If they get involved in serious investigative reporting you, my fellow citizens, might not like their conclusions.

During every 24-hour period, there are hordes of illegal aliens, Coyotes and drug smugglers moving around us. Here they are connecting with their transportation north.

Layup locations and pickup points abound. For example, in the Desert Hills III, IV & V triangle, there is evidence of many layups for drug smuggling. The trash left behind, in addition to water jugs, includes clothing, backpacks, cell phone batteries and most importantly, burlap bags. Each burlap bag represents fifty pound drug packs. A recent count of burlap bags was 29.

According to my calculator, that would equal 1,450 pounds of drugs with a street value in the millions of dollars. Typically, with five person drug smuggling teams, that would be about six different smuggling groups. The leaders are armed and dangerous.

Finding the empty bags means that the loads were transported from that lay up point by some other means. Most likely, transportation vehicles (cars or vans) came to the parking area and loaded the contraband to move it on to the “market,” Incidentally, there are approximately fifteen lay up and pick up points in and around Green Valley.

How do I know about this and many other illegal activities in Green Valley, you ask? I’m glad you asked, because you deserve to know that I along with other dedicated members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps are observing and reporting illegal activity to law enforcement agencies on a regular basis.

Each of these sites has been visited by me, personally, as well as some other members of the MCDC GV. Certainly, there are more sites that we haven’t, yet, discovered.

We have had some success in working to free our community of this unwanted illegal activity, in spite of the naysayers who characterize MCDC members in other ways. Of course, we are going to have the uninformed, the misinformed, the biased and, obviously, the apathetic who will complain but do nothing positive.

If you happened to be driving north on Abrego late Saturday morning, Dec. 29, you may have observed MCDC members assisting a Border Patrol agent apprehend an illegal alien. Our assist involved observing the illegal alien and reporting to a BP agent known to be in the area.

The MCDC GV Chapter members work very closely with law enforcement agencies to help solve this very serious illegal problem in our otherwise paradisiacal community.

Unfortunately, our community, also, has a chapter of the “three wise monkeys” club. In order to be a member of that club, one must “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. With their eyes, ears and mouths covered how could there be a problem?

If you want to be a part of the solution, get involved. Start by reporting illegal aliens, suspected illegal transportation vehicles and any other illegal activity that you observe, to the Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435.

The observation of actual crimes in progress, should be reported by calling 9-1-1.

Make no mistake, this illegal activity is a very serious crime problem. In addition to being drug smugglers, gun runners and illegal alien guides, there are murderers, rapists, pedophiles, seriously diseased individuals and potential terrorists. Members of the dreaded MS 13 cartel (gang) are among the most dangerous criminals in the Nation. Some of each of the above have been uninvited visitors to our area.

So, if you feel that the problem doesn’t exist because it has not yet effected you directly, you are making a very serious mistake. The attack on the world trade center did not affect some of us directly, but it dramatically affected our nation.

The future of our nation, for our children and grandchildren, depends on our diligent effort to prevent illegal activity, now.

We can still enjoy our pleasant climate and way of life in this great Southern Arizona location, while being alert to the dangers that could alter our lives permanently.

A little diligence can go a long way in helping to close the Santa Cruz corridor to illegal activity.

Don Severe is a Green Valley resident. He is a retired president and CEO of an insurance marketing company, a U.S. Air Force pilot, community volunteer, freelance writer, motivational speaker, father and grandfather. He drives the backroads of Southern Arizona frequently in his 4x4 Jeep. He is an amateur historian and archaeologist. He is a founder and chapter leader of MCDC GV.