Herald/Review
BISBEE - Sheriff Larry Dever said Thursday that illegal immigrants are becoming more brazen putting the lives of Cochise County residents in jeopardy.
An extreme example of how dangerous the border situation has become is a Thursday morning carjacking, during which a woman and her daughter were assaulted at their residence by three Mexican nationals who illegally entered the United States, Dever said.
"They (illegal immigrants) are more desperate and obviously they don't care about American citizens," he said.
Dever said some illegal immigrants are showing up at school bus stops, and his deputies are patrolling those in rural areas near the border to make sure nothing happens.
The sheriff said a group of volunteers is needed to work with the deputies to keep on eye on school bus stops.
His department is working to set up such a program.
"It's still in its infant stage," Dever said.
Citizen complaints about problems involving illegal immigrants have increased, although the sheriff said he could not put a percentage of the increase.
He said the increase in complaints are tied to the upward trend of more illegal immigrants crossing the border into the United States through Cochise County.
Deputies also are finding larger groups of illegal immigrants.
"Now there are 30, 40 or 50 in a group," Dever said.
A couple of years ago, groups ranged from six to 10 people, he said.
With only 75 deputies to cover the county's 6,000 plus square miles, the sheriff said he does not have the personnel to deal with a failed federal policy.
Posted by Suzanne at February 1, 2004