Sheriff’s office spending nearly $8,000 a week monitoring streets near Tornillo POE
County Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to create “no parking zones” around the entrance to the Tornillo Port of Entry in the far southeastern portion of the county.
“We know this is not a solution, but at this point, (it’s) one of the only tools we have,” County Judge Veronica Escobar said.
ABC-7 has reported there has been a large buildup of passenger vehicles for export to Mexico on the streets around the port of entry, extending for miles next to farms and inching closer to residential areas.
The county estimates nearly 2,000 vehicles remain. The backup is a result of regulations in Mexico limiting the amount of used cars that can be imported from the U.S.
“They’re still showing up anywhere from 50 to 75 cars a day,” said Lt. Ryan Urrutia, a sheriff’s deputy stationed at the Clint Patrol Station.
The action commissioners took Monday will limit parking on streets immediately around the entrance to the port of entry, particularly where the road narrows and the parked cars have been causing congestion. With the vote, Urrutia said signs could be placed within 48-72 hours.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office estimates it is spending $7,500 – $8,000 a week on extra manpower in the area. Between 6 and 8 deputies are on duty throughout the day in the area.
Commissioners also directed staff to place a standing agenda item each week to discuss the situation and take appropriate action based on any changes.
