Reprint from the Progress Times - November 23, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

 

Giuliani promises more policing on border

On his Monday trip to the Rio Grande Valley, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani addressed more than just immigration.

"It’s not just about immigration it’s about the quality of life," said Mission Police Chief Leo Longoria who had a chance to speak with the former New York City Mayor on Monday. "Border crime expands beyond just immigrants. It bleeds into our neighborhoods and commercial areas. We need officers to curb that. We can’t do that with just the border patrol. We need local law enforcement confronting these issues. His responses were very positive and assertive when it comes to areas that need policing."

Giuliani’s trip consisted of a drive near Anzalduas Dam, a stop at Chimney Park, an RV park near the river then concluded his trip with a private fundraising dinner at the McAllen Country Club where seats were $300.

Giuliani, as of late, has been a strong proponent of a virtual fence consisting of night vision and heat seeking cameras as well as motion detectors. According to Giuliani such a system would not only aid the Border Patrol but it would do so with little impact on the United States’ use of the Rio Grande River.

Giuliani also took time to make clear his position on more policing on the border.

"He assured us that more policing was one of his agenda items for what he wanted to take care of," said Longoria. "It was a good opportunity to let an individual from outside of the area hear our concerns. People can be in D.C., New York or Austin and they can talk all they want about border crime along the river but they have to come see it and breathe it to really appreciate it."

Born in 1944 in Brooklyn, New York, Rudy Giuliani served as mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001 where he was widely recognized for curbing the city’s spiraling crime rate and named Time Magazine Person of the Year for his response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.