Fence on border serving its purpose
I had been curious about the border fence, which I understood was complete in the Yuma sector. After reading a letter to the editor some weeks ago from an individual who thought the fence was a complete waste of taxpayer dollars, my wife and I decided to go see it for ourselves. We reached it by going south about 30 miles on the east side of the Gila Mountains.
The fence is quite substantial, being composed of 12 inch pipe that is 12 feet tall on 8 foot centers, with 12 inch pipe, 5 foot tall on 4 foot centers in between and has heavy wire mesh welded between the poles. It is designed to stop vehicles, not people.
I think a main battle tank might be able to drive through it, but not much else could. People can easily walk around it at either end or go under it in some spots. However, I would be shocked if there are not sensors of some sort in the area. It seems clear that the fence does stop all vehicular traffic, leaving illegals or drug runners on foot with 30 miles to go to the freeway, and in a heavily patrolled area.
I stand second to no one in my belief that government can screw up just about anything it touches, but that does not seem to be true of the border fence. My impression is that it is extremely well built and is doing exactly what it was designed to do.
I should mention that during the day we talked to three Border Patrol agents, all of whom were pleasant, polite, courteous and professional. We were impressed by all of them, and think they represented the Border Patrol very well.
It was a welcome surprise that a governmental program is actually well done and working.
In cooler weather, I would encourage anyone to go look for themselves.
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RAY NEWTON
Yuma
