Sept 9, 2013: Moving letter Sue Krentz (widow), husand killed on their ranch traced to an illegal Douglas, Arizona

Dear Editor,

Recent events in Cochise County, where a national park service woman was attacked, sends a clear message. The area near the border is not safe. Carol Campus of the Cochise County Sheriff Department describes the entire area as a 'historically known drug corridor”.

Time and time again we have asked for a secure border to protect the individuals who live and work in the area. Not much has changed. The border crossers are still coming and now the new regulations will give them more protection. The newest order is THE FAMILY INTEREST DIRECTIVE where law officials are instructed to not detain or arrest border crossers if they have kids with them under 21. In other words the law enforcement agencies have been told to stand down. The law enforcement agencies hands are tied. Seems like the administration can change the law and pick and choose what to enforce and what to ignore.

The fence existed when Rob Krentz and Brian Terry were killed. Drones were in use and border cameras were in some areas. It should be realized that there is something terribly wrong. There seems to be no respect for our laws and our border yet we have to respect the laws of other countries and their borders. How congress figures that they will respect this new law when they won’t follow current laws that would be effective if they were followed is a big question for me.

I was at the town hall last week and it is frustrating not to be able to correct the information or to have a discussion on what we need to do. We who have lived in the border area for generations know when the border was a lot safer than it is today.

We still need better communications systems in the rural areas where cell phone service is limited. Its sad to know that the illegals have better communication systems than we do. The real meat and potatoes to secure the border will take courage to enforce.

Now we are in a holding pattern and nothing will get done if the international conflict is not resolved. The main issue to secure the border and immigration reform will take a back seat. Meanwhile we are still are living in a war zone area. We just can’t move the border north and even if we could it would still be like the lawless areas in Pinal County. It will never quit unless our officials stand now and say this is the United States and illegal border crossers are not welcome here. Come here legally and follow the rules.

Our officials seem to be concerned more with the humanitarian and rights of individuals in other countries than with yours or mine.

A couple of weeks ago at the town hall in Mesa one had to present ID to be let in. The place had guards all over. The people barriers were up and the doors were GUARDED. The police had weapons to control an unruly crowd. All guests were searched and patted down but out where we live there is a different set of rules. What is everyone afraid of if the border is so safe? We certainly don’t want the congressmen attacked so their safety is assured while ours is constantly at risk.

This meeting was not a one one-on-one meeting to trade information to make better decisions. It was more a stage for them to justify their position.

Recently we have new reports of gaping holes in the steel fence on a ranch by Naco. Many neighbors have pictures of suspected outlaws on their property with back packs loaded with drugs. We have individuals whose private property rights are being condemned for federal towers. They can put towers on federal land, but it seems to us that it is easier to take private property from individuals. At a ranch near Rio Rico the one, where Brian Terry was killed, the residents are constantly running into armed illegal border crossers who are not afraid of anyone. All these actions compromise the safety of the individuals and their business operations.

If we allow this area to remain in turmoil and not have our borders respected the entire country is at risk. Moving it north will just give them a win. How far north are we willing to allow before it’s at your door and you finally decide that you too want protection and the border lines respected?

Our laws are constantly being ignored. For example, according to Arizona Game and Fish laws we are supposed to be able to remove people from our land and charge them with the crime of trespassing if they don't have our permission to be there and are not carrying a valid hunting license. According to the law they still need our permission to be in areas behind locked gates. Areas are posted and instructions are clear that permission must be granted by land owner and hunting seasons are also specific to time of the year and hunting units. Just a simple law that is not followed.

We are victims of such heinous crimes know that there is not much help or support. Legal help and the right to live free and safe is denied to us. We live it daily. We are not moving or throwing in the towel. The laws are to protect us and we would appreciate it if our officials would simply enforce them. Article 4 section 4 of the constitution says the federal government is to protect the US from invasion both foreign and domestic.

The bottom line is the ranchers and land owners near the border are in danger every day of being attacked or threatened because the border is not secure. Like Rob Krentz and Brian Terry the only thing these people are doing is showing up for work. Those two did not get to come home and we are only trying to make it so that the rest of us do.

Thank you

Susan Krentz

Loving widow of Rob Krentz