Local Law Enforcement Agencies Have Plans To Handle Mexico Spillover Violence
As another stray bullet from Juarez hits a second high profile building here in El Paso, local law enforcement agencies said they’re prepared to keep El Pasoans safe.
Soon after shots were fired across the border on Saturday, U.S. Border Patrol agents and El Paso Police made the decision to step into action and closed down a portion of Paisano.
“The moment we sensed that danger, that threat from the other side…of course we’re going to start moving,” said Ramiro Cordero, Border Patrol spokesman.
Shortly after hearing shots nearby Saturday evening, “Agents noticed there was an actual gun battle ensuing on the south side,” said Cordero.
Border Patrol agents executed a contingency plan already in place.
“We performed what we call a ‘lift and shift.’ That means bring in as many agents as possible to that immediate area,” said Cordero.
“It’s a new scenario that we have with the rounds coming from Juarez,” said Spokesman for the El Paso Police Department.
But police officers are already trained to respond to ‘shots fired’ calls.
“An active shooter scenario does not change its structure, just because it happens to be coming from Juarez, ” said Petry.
And after talking with Border Patrol, police decided to shut down Paisano from Executive to El Paso street. They also made calls to nearby businesses, “To get people inside, get them inside, if they needed to go outside then they needed to use back doors or use side doors.”
While there were no evacuations, people were asked to find cover. And now everyone’s being asked to keep an eye out.
“We…being in this proximity, in this neighborhood, in this city, people who travel and use that area just need to be aware,” said Petry.
Law enforcement officials said working together is key in order to prevent the spillover of violence. This Thursday, local, state and federal agencies on both sides of the border will be meeting at a conference that was set up before this latest stray bullet incident.
They’ll discuss border security efforts as the Juarez drug war continues.
