Arizona Sheriffs Want More Help at the Border

The battle over border security is heating up as the first wave of National Guard troops start patrolling the Arizona desert.

"We are in a fight, literally against our own federal government," said Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu.

Babeu and Cochise County Sheriff Dever say the assignment of over 500 National Guard troops to the Mexican border isn't enough.

"Get them here and get them here yesterday and get us the 3,000 that we need," said Dever.

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Even going as far as to call the plan by the feds a political move.

"This falls woefully short. There's like 30 soldiers being deployed
today, so this shouldn't be a surprise to figure this out. Thirty days
before a November election 500 soldiers are deployed," said Babeu.

But Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano came out Monday saying things are better on the border.

"And I'll tell you we're seeing the most serious approach to border enforcement I have seen in my career," said Napolitano.

The former Arizona Governor also announced on Monday the addition of more unmanned Predator aircraft.

"So with the deployment of the Predator in Texas we will now be able to cover the southwest border," said Napolitano.

It's a federal border plan she says is working.

"Everything that's supposed to go up is going up and everything that's
supposed to be going down is going down," said Napolitano.

Yet the local sheriffs don't see it that way.

"Janet Napolitano continues to say 'Oh there's no problem down there.
Crime statistics are down' and all that, but were smarter than that in
Arizona," said Babeu.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/state/new-federal-initiatives-announc...

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