Steps Taken To Monitor New Mexico’s Southern Border

Increased patrols, more local law enforcement, and a surge of National Guard Members.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced Wednesday a plan to help combat violence in the southwest corner of the state.

“I believe it’s time now we join arms and ask for national support in terms of military,” Columbus Police Chief A.I. Vega said.

Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos says, local resources are wearing thin, and border communities need federal help.

“Increased agents and increased National Guard,” Cobos said.

A rancher who has lived along the border west of Columbus for the past few years says, she does not feel threatened by border violence at all.

The Luna County rancher says, she actually feels safer living along the border than if she lived in a city, but feels the Governor?s plan may not be enough to change a deep-rooted problem.

“I don?t think a real surge of presence is going to change anybody’s agenda,” a Luna County rancher said.

Nothing but wide-open desert. But for a rancher living along the border west of Columbus, a surge of increased law enforcement presence only feels like a temporary fix.

“The National Guard has been here before and their presence will probably stop some things from happening at that particular point in time,? a rancher said. ?If they come again it’ll do the same thing; but when they’re gone it’ll return back to normal.”

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson ordered National Guard to patrol the state?s southern border with Mexico.

U.S. Border Patrol survey rural areas for suspicious activity, but now Richardson mandates a permanent increased federal law enforcement presence.

“It’s peaceful here, It’s quiet here and we’ve had no problems,? a rancher said. ?And I don’t expect any problems.”

Heightened security measures come after the death of prominent Arizona rancher Robert Krentz. Krentz was found shot to death Saturday on his own property, miles north of the Arizona ? Mexico border.

“We just want to make sure we can do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen here,” Cobos said.

A large cross decorating a Luna County rancher?s front lawn is what a resident says, helps keep peace of mind living along the border.

“If anyone comes around or even drives by thinking they can do us harm, they’re going to have to look at that first and decide if it’s worthwhile or not.”

The Luna County Sheriff says, law enforcement is reminding all ranchers to take extra precaution.

Heightened security measures will be addressed in a meeting at the Luna County Courthouse at 1 p.m. Thursday.