Former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer won the attention of the press by talking tough, scorpion tough, on border security. Brewer did virtually nothing but talk tough. Now, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is not talking at all, but according to an AP report, he is creating a border strike force through the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The Associated Press obtained a letter Ducey sent to Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. The AP reported that a Ducey spokesman would confirm the effort but declined to provide details.
Ducey advised Dannels in the letter that the intent of the force is “stop border-related crime.” According to the AP report, Ducey wrote: “The goal of the Border Strike Force is to bolster your current efforts, not dictate to you or any other sheriff how to combat the issues we are facing. Additionally, it is intended to build and design innovative strategies and work groups to effectively deter, disrupt, and dismantle border-related crime.”
The letter, dated October 28, was also sent to Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot. Wilmot and Dannels have been the only two border sheriffs who have attempted to interdict cartels.
“There is no limit to the violence and lawlessness committed by criminals who use our southern borders to smuggle people, illicit drugs, and money derived from criminal activities,” Ducey wrote. “As the governor of the great state of Arizona it is my commitment to you and the people in our state that we will combat this threat together.”
“I am very encouraged by the Governors plan to beef up enforcement of the rule of law along our southern border. This is much more than a finger wag; we’ve been patient enough for leadership on border security and the Governor is making the right investments. The bad guys understand one language and that’s force major. We’ve seen what can happen when we apply the right mix of strategy, resources and expertise to stand in the gap, the mix works,” stated Arizona State Rep. Mark Finchem.
Earlier this week, money raised by Arizona State Senator Steve Smith for a border fence was awarded to Dannels for a virtual border fence by the Arizona Legislature’s Joint Border Security Advisory Committee. The Committee, under Smith’s leadership, was tasked with the oversight of the donations.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office requested the amount of $219,211.87 to purchase equipment for specialty units to combat, reduce, and ultimately eradicate illegal human and drug smuggling within our communities.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office would utilize funding from the Border Security Task Force to purchase equipment that is currently in limited supply for the Southeast Arizona Border Region Enforcement Team (SABRE) and our Ranch Patrol units to assist Border Patrol in efforts to secure the Arizona/Mexico border. The equipment requested will assist personnel to locate, apprehend, and prosecute persons who are in this country illegally and conducting illegal activities.
Dannels was the only sheriff to apply for the money.