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Residents take action against illegal traffic
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
BOULEVARD – More than 30 people from areas throughout the Back Country gathered at Fox Acres in Boulevard on Saturday, June 11 to show support for a new Border Watch endeavor in California. Participants voiced their concerns about Mexicans illegally crossing the border in the Back Country and many volunteered their services to take part in the project.
“We need volunteers,” said Andy Ramirez, who started Friends of the Border Patrol and is spearheading the group’s Border Watch project. “We've heard from people all across the country who are responding to the call.”
“My property is overrun with illegals,” said Sam McKernan of Boulevard, “I have to call the Border Patrol sometimes 10 times a week.”
Back Country residents, L.A. County residents and participants in the Minute Men project in Arizona were among those at the meeting. They discussed the effects of illegal traffic in their neighborhoods and how to deal with the perforated Mexico/California border.
“The Minute Men were very successful in bringing the plight of border residents to light,” Ramirez said. “We need to secure our border and support our border patrol, they need more resources and less interference to do their jobs.”
Many participants condemned the government for its lack of action in dealing with the border issue.
“When Bush called the Minute Men vigilantes it was a real hit for this program, many of us felt betrayed by that statement” Ramirez said. “If they do not heed that call of the residents, and if, come 2006, our elected officials in Washington haven't don’t anything to solve this, then I say we start tossing them out, Republicans and Democrats alike.”
“Come Border Watch we're going to make sure that our elected officials get out to the border and see what's going on,” Ramirez said. “Unless the president helps the Border Patrol and gives them the resources that they need, then we're going to be out here beginning Sept. 16.”
“I've been threatened many times,” said Back Country resident Lorna Jeffries, “my house has been broken into and now I am continuously carrying a gun. You don’t have any peace at all, you can't sleep, it can be really scary sometimes.”
“We know it's dangerous. You live in a dangerous environment, but what are you going to do – these are your homes,” Ramirez said.
The FBP Border Watch project started in May, with preliminary organization and planning. Originally slated to begin in August, the start date has been pushed back to the September date to facilitate participant training.
“There were just too many factors for an August start. We want to make sure we’ve got the best people out here,” Ramirez said. “Basically we’re training to see what each person can bring to the table.”
Besides volunteers, FBP will also be working closely with sheriffs, police, forestry and fire officials, and of course border patrol agents.
“We want to be another set of eyes and ears for law enforcement,” Ramirez said. “We are going to stand side by side with border agents to give them the assistance that they obviously need.”
Border Watch participants will be acting on a no-contact basis, which means when they spot illegals they will simply report to Border Patrol agents.
“You’re just going to sit on an ‘X’ in a lawn chair, properly trained, with a set of binoculars and a radio,” Ramirez said. “We’re allowing firearms to be carried only by retired Border Patrol or law enforcement individuals.”
Meetings which will take place during the next couple of weeks, between FBP officials and the Border Patrol, will solidify a relationship between the the groups. Ramirez believes that the Border Patrol will officially support the project.
In the months leading up to the September start date participants will undergo training and a cohesive team of section chiefs will be assembled. Chiefs will determine traffic “hot-spots” and will decide where participants will be situated along the border.
“By the time we actually get our people out on the border everything will be so well-planned and coordinated,” Ramirez said.
For more information about FBP and Border Watch or to volunteer visit
the Web
site.
 E-mail
Christy Scott
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