'Battle at the border': Authorities say fence may not lower crime rate

By: STEPHANIE INNES - Arizona Daily Star | Monday, October 2, 2006 10:59 PM PDT ∞

When he was 16, Gonzalo Llamas left his home in Zacatecas, Mexico, and illegally crossed the border by paying $20 to use an American citizen's passport.

Though the passport holder was old and balding, Llamas made it across and began his new life cleaning restaurants for $9 a job.

Now 50, Llamas is a U.S. citizen and owns a construction company in San Diego.

And he wants the border sealed.

The reason?

Violent crime.

''You have your good people and your bad people,'' he said. ''I'm really open-minded for people to make a better life for themselves without causing problems to anyone. But with a few bad ones, we all lose. You have to have some control.''

Llamas shares the common perception that more security along the border means more safety.

But along with tougher enforcement has come a spike in violence against those who police the international boundary.

Assaults on U.S. Border Patrol agents, including rock-throwings, doubled from 2004 to 2005 as the number of agents increased by 4 percent, and now are occurring at a rate of more than two per day, federal data show.

As security tightens, smugglers dig tunnels under fences, disguise themselves as members of the Mexican military, and, in general, become bolder, authorities say. Around Yuma, they've thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and fired paintball guns and real firearms at agents.

In response, agents are firing nonlethal pepperballs. They also use firearms, though U.S. Customs and Border Protection won't disclose how many illegal entrants have been killed by federal officers.

''It's a battle at the border,'' said Tyler Emblem, an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol's Search, Trauma and Rescue Unit in the Yuma Sector. ''It's not like five years ago. When we showed up, they would run. It's making it harder for these smuggling organizations to make a living, and we are the enemy.''

Last month, a Border Patrol agent in Yuma shot and killed a Mexican man that U.S. officials say threw softball-sized rocks at agents. The FBI is investigating.

Data from the Tucson-based human rights group CoaliciÛn de Derechos Humanos says 11 illegal entrants since 2003 have died of gunshot wounds while crossing the Mexican border into Arizona, but the records do not indicate who fired the shots.

Aside from brazen smugglers, it's difficult to predict what will happen to crime and violence in the United States if the border is sealed. Some worry more fences will create social unrest.

Others say fences and other security measures have dramatically decreased overall crime rates in such areas as San Diego and El Paso, though such border-tightening strategies also can move crime to more remote areas with less security.

Columbus, N.M.

Columbus, N.M., farmer James Johnson, of WH Johnson & Sons, owns 3,000 acres against the international border.

He said he has been threatened and has had guns pulled on him three times, most recently in 2002.

In 1991, Johnson's father and uncle were held at gunpoint by two illegal entrants who stole their car. Johnson used to carry his own gun but stopped after he says federal officials warned him he was being watched by Mexican smugglers.

It's common for people to drive through the flimsy barbed-wire fence that marks the border and flatten his crops. One car recently ended up in a drainage canal. Often, the drive-throughs include high-speed pursuits.

The wide-open border is disheartening, Johnson said. He'd like to see a security fence. It wouldn't solve the problem, he said, but it would help.

New Mexico has 1.2 miles of border fence, near the city of Sunland Park. The rest of the state is divided from Mexico by fences made from three strands of barbed wire, which often are cut or run over by drivers.

Paul Armijo, police chief in Columbus, has three officers to monitor an area directly across from Las Chepas, Chihuahua, a community with a reputation for violent criminal cartels.

''We had a lot of drug trafficking, a lot of immigrant smuggling. Here in Columbus, we have several homes that are abandoned because people have moved,'' he said. ''Those homes end up being used for alien smuggling, for drug smuggling, for stash houses.''

What's needed, Armijo said, is a better-working plan to allow Mexicans to cross the border and work legally. He also wants the United States to teach Mexico how to do more to help its own people. He said a big fence or a wall would create more problems in his community and for U.S. law enforcement.

''The more barrier you put up, the more force they are going to use to get across and you are just asking for trouble,'' he said. ''When people are desperate to go make a better life, a better living, they are going to do whatever it takes.''

San Diego

In San Diego, crime rates dropped significantly after border security in the area tightened with Operation Gatekeeper in 1994.

Per-capita aggravated assaults, burglaries, robberies and murders now are less than half of what they were in 1993, San Diego Police Department records show. The Border Patrol's San Diego Sector said Operation Gatekeeper reduced crime by 82 percent.

Yet others question if border security was responsible for the drop. San Diego Police Department spokeswoman Monica Munoz, for example, said it would be inaccurate to assume less crime in her city had anything to do with border security.

''It's because we've been so strenuously involved in community policing,'' she said. ''Nobody here would tell you our drop in crime is due to the border fence. A good number of people we arrest are not Mexican nationals.''

Also, the plummeting crime rates in such border cities as San Diego, El Paso and Laredo in the last 10 years mirror a national trend ---- crime rates dropped across the country in the same time period, notes Pedro H. Albuquerque, an assistant professor of economics at Texas A&M International in Laredo. He studies border violence and has compared murder rates on both sides of the line.

His research shows falling crime rates in border cities more likely are due to a mix of better border security, improved policing and bigger budgets for local police.

Not only are crime rates dropping in border cities, they actually are lower than in most U.S. cities. The murder rate in Laredo in 2001 was 4.4 per 100,000 people, for example, while the average for U.S. cities in 2001 was 5.6 per 100,000. Nuevo Laredo's was 15.4, said Albuquerque, who based his information on FBI crime reports and coroners' statistics in Mexico.

''Basically, law enforcement on the Mexican side is not efficient. They don't enforce the law. But the American side has been quite successful in keeping groups out,'' Albuquerque said. ''There is some exaggeration that living in these cities is like the front line of a war, and that is not really happening.''

With the border tougher to cross, criminals tend to stay in Mexico. When violence spills over, it usually stays in certain spots and among certain people, said Jorge Santibanez, president of a university-based think tank at Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Tijuana.

''It's not a social violence,'' he said in Spanish. ''It continues to be a sectorized violence.''

Some ranchers and farmers in open border areas like New Mexico say they worry about their safety, but dozens of residents interviewed along the international line say they don't live in fear.

Those facing the most danger are in law enforcement and illegal trafficking, residents say.

Their advice: Don't look for trouble and you won't find it.

''If you did mess with them, I don't know what would happen, maybe you would get shot,'' said Ramon De La Ossa, 61.

Arizona Star reporter Brady McCombs contributed to this story.

-- Contact reporter Stephanie Innes at 573-4134 or at sinnes@azstarnet.com.

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32 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Ed wrote on Oct 2, 2006 11:05 PM:So, the fence "may not lower crime rate," however, what are the cons? Are there really any? So, the government spends some money to do it. So what? They would spend that money on some other frivolous endeavor anyways. Even if fences are not the end all, at least they give the impression that our government actually cares about keeping our borders safe... Build the fence and get it over with!!!

Sanguine wrote on Oct 2, 2006 11:23 PM:When people are accustomed to violating the law, and then the law is enforced, you will naturally see a rise in resistance by the lawbreakers to the enforcement. Consistent enforcement over the next few years will see a drop in attacks on our law enforcement personnel, especially if they aren't hindered by a lot of pointless regulations. "Speak softly and carry a big stick" is as valid today as it was yesterday.

How quickly we forget!!!! wrote on Oct 3, 2006 12:09 AM:Oh Please Old man Llamas probably uses only illegal workers at his construction company. Funny how he NOW wants secure borders but back then he would have given his life to get here. Karma you know what goes around comes around.

I thought a Coyote was a fur coated beast that walked on 4 legs and yelped in the dark of night. wrote on Oct 3, 2006 1:28 AM:Some time after moving to SD I learned that they walk upright and currently command $3,500.00 per individual humanoid contraband with no expressed gurantees. What I have not been able to establish is what side of the border these PARASITES reside on. A picture ID with first and last names and a current address where their family is located with further instructions to update their current address here in the USA on a yearly basis. This would enable South of the Border Citizens to cross and be monitored at legal border crossings. It would separate the sheep(workers)from the goats(criminals) and eliminate a great number of sad and senseless deaths and the parasitic profiteering smugglers who line their pockets with blood money. The system for a legal entry picture ID has been in place for decades as it applies to first class citizens from all other foreign countries, why not from our immidiate South of the Border neighbor. BTW your article states that Mr. Llamas crossed the border illegaly thirty four years ago and landed a cleaning job that paid him $9.00 an hour,considerably more than the very recently upgraded minimum wage! What were your hourly wage earnings in 1972?

Finally someone with a brain wrote on Oct 3, 2006 7:10 AM:Paul Armijo, police chief in Columbus, "What's needed, Armijo said, is a better-working plan to allow Mexicans to cross the border and work legally. He also wants the United States to teach Mexico how to do more to help its own people. He said a big fence or a wall would create more problems in his community and for U.S. law enforcement. ''The more barrier you put up, the more force they are going to use to get across and you are just asking for trouble,'' he said. ''When people are desperate to go make a better life, a better living, they are going to do whatever it takes.'' Wow finally someone gets it. Why not listen to this type of advice and follow it. I think we have tried everything else.

Ted wrote on Oct 3, 2006 7:15 AM:and our President, Congress and law enforcement stand by and let it happen. When the next attack on US soil happens, then maybe they will wake up. Viva La Fence !!!

Robert24 wrote on Oct 3, 2006 7:24 AM:What we need to see is more people like Mr. Llamas who are of Mexican heritage getting angry at the illegals. Now, I will admit that Mr. Llamas states that he did come here illegally, but he did do the right thing and become legal. The border crossers of his day were not blatantly disrespectful like todays crossers, who typically have no interest in becoming legal. Again, the issue is legality, plain and simple. If illegal, it is time to go back where you came from. The world is a different place today, and the American citizens are better educated to this issue than ever before, partially due to the May 1st "Anti American Day" rally. We've had enough of the illegal invasion, and we will make sure that change is coming.

I don't believe for one minute wrote on Oct 3, 2006 7:24 AM:crime rates are dropping in border towns. This is more NCT bs to support their liberal views. Why can't WE protect our southern border the way Mexico does? Shoot any one trying to enter the country illegally.

Ummm Lets see wrote on Oct 3, 2006 8:03 AM:The Mexicans kill the illegals on the southern border, gave the Guats 30 days to leave or face prision or worse....????? I think Mexico should start with cleaning up their Southern Borders first!

esteban wrote on Oct 3, 2006 8:16 AM:What's with the guy who STOPPED carrying a gun on his own property after he was told he was being watched by the scummy mexican smugglers??? I would have armed myself twice as much and shot ANYONE who entered me property!!!!!

Not amused wrote on Oct 3, 2006 8:57 AM:I think that the negative spin that is being placed on the securing of the border is amazing. The smugglers will dig deeper tunnels, or get violent? So what? That is already happening, and has been for years. I actually had a chuckle when I heard about the President telling Pakistan and Afganistan to secure their borders. I geuss they better not use the USA as an example.

quinnie wrote on Oct 3, 2006 9:02 AM:hey ted the US has been at war with Iraq and "terrorists" for 16 years now and no one has crossed the border yet to retaliate. know why? IT AINT GOING TO HAPPEN. If you are expecting another 9/11(next october surprise is scheduled for october 6th) realize that EVERY person alleged to be on those airplanes on 9/11 was under CIA survelience and ALLOWED to carry out their mission by the bush admin. fence or no fence here are the facts of living in corporate america: Cheap Labor will still come in and so will CIA approved drugs and the people who broker them. the "terrorism" card is just a tool to instil fear in the weak and passive minded folks.

A view from the middle: wrote on Oct 3, 2006 9:04 AM: It is evident why there has been a spike in violence at our southern border. The Mexican government is cleaning up their crime rate. They are pressuring their criminals and punishing them to the full extent of the law. As long as the standard of living is better in US federal prisons than that of the Mexican villages the illegals and criminals will come to the United States. Mexico is giving very little support to their physically fit unemployed which encourages them to come to the US for work. Hungary people will fight and steal for food. Including me. Mexico is not living up to their responsibility to their people and in effect encouraging them to cross the border. If the resistance at the border is meager, as it is now, our Border Patrol will be surpassed and they will come anyway. They don't care that I worked hard for what I got. I mean back breaking work. They will come for what I have anyway. I resent that it has became necessary for me to take steps to protect my life and home with force. That was the job of the US Government and both Clinton and Bush administrations have and are failing me with their meager "throw the dogs a bone" representation at the border. We must have a guest program, well controlled, that will ease the violence while getting our work done. Where's Pete Wilson?

to esteban... wrote on Oct 3, 2006 10:12 AM:I think you are on to something there... Maybe the United States should do the same thing... I guarantee illegal border crossings would come to a virtual screaming halt if the United States had the will to do what it actually needed to do to protect it's borders...

anotherview wrote on Oct 3, 2006 10:59 AM:America can get along without illegal aliens, especially criminal illegal aliens. The proposed U.S.-Mexico border fence may or may not affect the crime rate near that area. In any case, the fence represents another band-aid fix in solving the problem of illegal immigration. The U.S. Congress can pass a law, with teeth, prohibiting employers from hiring illegal aliens. Without a job prospect, the illegal aliens now here would tend to self-deport, and the foreign nationals would tend not to come here. The number of criminal illegal aliens surely would drop. Jobs would open for Americans. The burden on local, state, and federal budgets would ease. The host of other negative social, economic, and political impacts fostered by the presence of illegal aliens would moderate. America can do just fine without illegal aliens.

Victim of "men who just come here to work" wrote on Oct 3, 2006 11:47 AM:I have been a victim of these "men who just come here to work". They stole everything in my home all the way down to our shoes. These "men who just come here to work" also steal the kids' bikes in my neighborhood,they illegally squat on private property,they destroy public and private property,etc. These criminal men are mobile which is very dangerous. They have nothing to lose if they commit a crime. They just move to another camp. My community has had two girls sexually assaulted by illegals however the men were never caught!! We must protect our community from these law breakers. We do not need imported crime!!

Patrick wrote on Oct 3, 2006 12:22 PM:Stem the tide of illegals?? Try stemming the US employers who employ them! Why are US employers breaking the law without consequences???

Build it, so they dont come. wrote on Oct 3, 2006 12:58 PM:Building a fence is not impractical, but should extend the whole length of both north and south borders. In areas too rough for fences, air dropped cluster mines could be used. As for what foreigners think about the fence, Americans don’t care what Mexico or French Canada thinks. Mexico has for years encouraged their citizens to Invade the US with radio and TV ads, books and comic books with step by step directions on how to invade and escape capture. Maybe the US should annex enough Mexican land far enough south to build a fence across flat open land if that is easier.

Concerned wrote on Oct 3, 2006 1:00 PM:Build the fence. Heavens knows we can't and or won't doing anything else to protect ourselves. In a few years we will have slid so far down the please-everybody, compromise everything, politically correct slippery slope that we will be virtually run over by the third world.

Gary wrote on Oct 3, 2006 2:04 PM:The fence works in San Diego. so lets build it for the entire border. We have to continue. I am tired of the handwringing and negatives. If so many people are saying it won't work, then why is Mexico and the activists making such a big deal out of it.

Skip wrote on Oct 3, 2006 2:07 PM:RE: North American Union >>> this is scary. Bush is making who knows what agreements, with foreign governments. Check out this official government website, complete with disclaimers (SPP Myths vs. Facts). If there ever was a deal that requires public scrutiny: then this is it. http://www.spp.gov/

Cal wrote on Oct 3, 2006 3:39 PM:Ofcourse a border fence won't lower the crime rate. If you wantto do that you'll have to fence off the criminals in DC.

Roberto wrote on Oct 3, 2006 3:42 PM:Our great President George W. Bush is doing a fine job. To bad you can't climb out of you hole and see the global economy has changed forever. The one thing that is certain...we are getting a 4 million dollar a mile fence which could have created a stronger combined economy (Xenophobes) and America isn't an ostrich eventhough we have many of them on this forum.

Sold out wrote on Oct 3, 2006 3:46 PM:Hey Skip. You don't want a North American Union? Did you vote for Issa? He lobbied congress to get NAFTA passed when he was a business owner in Vist. Now he's in the saddle, do you think he'll have any interest in dismantling NAFTA?

John wrote on Oct 3, 2006 3:49 PM:If Gary at 2:04 is tired of handwringing and negatives, he should knock them off. He's the most negative anti-immigrant handwringer I ever heard. Honestly dude - the sky is not falling!!

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Oct 3, 2006 4:04 PM:Remember the Illegal Alien bus Driver who drove the bus, that caught on fire and exploded, and killed 23 elderly patients, during the evacuation for Hurricane Rita? Do you know where he is today? He was granted a Work Visa, and he drives a bus between Laredo and Dallas,TX! I cannot make up stuff so ridiculous as this! Just "Google" "ILLEGAL ALIEN BUS DRIVER"

John wrote on Oct 3, 2006 4:11 PM:Fences at the border won't protect your children from evil white men with guns that break into schools. It won't protect you from drunk drivers, speeders or bungling congressmen who cover for their sleezy party. Better to build bridges than wall us in with all the above crazies.

Here's a thought wrote on Oct 3, 2006 4:38 PM:If we stop ALL free services to illegals & HEAVILY fine employers who hire them, they will no longer want to come to the U.S. They will no longer come here for a "better life" & maybe this will prompt them to return to & demand a better life in their own country.

Skip wrote on Oct 3, 2006 5:09 PM:Our population will reach 300 million this month. It only took 19 years to go from 200 million to 300 million. The U.S. is the fastest growing industrialized nation in the world, adding about 2.8 million people a year. How long do you think it will take to go to 400 million? I like to think of my self not so much as anti-(ILLEGAL) immigrant, but Anti-Overpopulation. The amount of Illegal Immigrants entering our country is soaring beyond our control, and if that is not bad enough, their birthing rate is astronomical compared to our standards. Did you ever think about what life in this country is going to be like for your children in twenty years? We cannot afford to be importing so much third world ignorance and poverty into our country.

Border Battle wrote on Oct 3, 2006 5:41 PM:So much for the alleged "peaceful reconquest" of California!

Dan (Temecula) wrote on Oct 3, 2006 11:06 PM: Just build the fence, and see what happens. It's that simple!! The majority of American tax payers want a fence regardless of what the performance of it is. Of coarse the Mexican government, and illegal immigrants supporters think it's a waste. They wish for an open border, not a closed one. If the violence on are border agents increases, and the criminals want a war, they will most likely lose there lives. Not to mention those are the criminal's we wish not to have here in are country. I guarantee that a fence will decrease all type's of crimes from your most violent, to simple crime. Desparate people are cabable of doing anything. Lets start building the fence, and here is a good chunk out of my check!!!

Big wrote on Jan 17, 2007 9:45 AM:They key word liberals seem to keep forgetting is "Illegal". Don't give me success stories about illegals-turned-legals who have a change of heart. Talk about the poor soul who has legally waited for years to become a citizen only to be trumped by a 'Guest Worker' Program. How would you feel?

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