Civil Patrol heads into action

KVOA-TV 4 - Tucson - Transcript -- Jan. 5, 2003

A group called the Civil Homeland Defense, launched this weekend, their first patrols of the Arizona-Mexico border.

While many fear the armed civilians will create a dangerous situation while patrolling for illegal immigrants, volunteers say the guns are solely for their protection. They say they have the right training and permits to carry and use them if necessary. Yet the group says their goal is to deter illegal border crossers by their presence, not by physical violence.

If they encounter illegal immigrants, volunteers are trained to be non-confrontational. Organizer Chris Simcox says, "We tell them in the best Spanish we can to stop, go back, and if they approach us, we have food and blankets to give them, but we let them know we are contacting border patrol, and that they should not cross."

15 volunteers showed up for today's first patrol. Most say they hope to return at least once a week to continue the patrols.

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