American Patrol Report Feature Continued

November 14, 2008

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...."There is no telling how this will play out, but these desperate thugs have shown they will stop at nothing to keep the money flowing, including intimidating law enforcement," he added.

    Spencer is also concerned that cartel hit men may be turned lose on groups that promote better border security such as ABP. "Being right on the border, we are very vulnerable to a cross-border raid," Spencer said. He said that the cartels know who American Border Patrol is and what they do. "If they are shooting at construction workers, I am concerned that it might not stop there."

    Spencer said ABP is well armed but that its main security system, a powerful thermal camera, is down for maintenance and his organization has yet to raise the funds to repair it. "We are blind at night and that is the worst time for smuggling along the San Pedro River, just to the east of our ranch," Spencer said.

    Until it can raise the funds to repair its thermal camera, ABP has suspended visitations by supporters and volunteers. "We are not going to bring people down here to act as sitting ducks," he said.

    The thermal camera cost $65,000. The repair involves its most costly part, a liquid helium sensor. It will cost $13,000 to repair it by overhauling the part,but this may take three months. If we replace the part, it can be repaired in about a week, but this will cost about $34,000. Thus far, ABP has raised about $5,000 to do the job.

    Anyone interested in helping ABP fix its thermal camera should log on here.      

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