Yes, the article was spot on about how to prevent deaths in the desert. Even in one area--Search and Rescue--there are solutions that no one is discussing. Currently, all 911 calls involving migrants are routed to Border Patrol. Since Border Patrol is overwhelmed and understaffed, many 911 calls could be routed to Pima County Sheriff Department (PCSD), which has a large and well-resourced volunteer SAR unit (I was a member). Or Border Patrol could facilitate the creation of a volunteer SAR auxiliary, modelled after the one attached to PCSD. If nothing else, BP could respond with less hostility and more transparency to the haphazard and decentalized efforts of local humanitarian organizations to rescue migrants.
Thank you for the report and the map of migrant deaths. Both are heartbreaking. Now we voters need to do what Pamela Powers recommends: find, support, and fund legislative candidates who will champion the list of actions you included.
You're right. Even though the Democratic Caucus was half Latino during my six years in the Legislature, there were no bills to save lives at the Border. GOP passed $500 million for the shipping container wall and enforcement. For years, I tried to get funding for prenatal care to stop preventable death before and after childbirth. That got some money in 2022 but not enough The Legislature focuses on preventing fetal death. Everyone else is on their own in Arizona. Your to-do list to prevent Border death is a good start. All you need is a champion in the Legislature.
Yes, the article was spot on about how to prevent deaths in the desert. Even in one area--Search and Rescue--there are solutions that no one is discussing. Currently, all 911 calls involving migrants are routed to Border Patrol. Since Border Patrol is overwhelmed and understaffed, many 911 calls could be routed to Pima County Sheriff Department (PCSD), which has a large and well-resourced volunteer SAR unit (I was a member). Or Border Patrol could facilitate the creation of a volunteer SAR auxiliary, modelled after the one attached to PCSD. If nothing else, BP could respond with less hostility and more transparency to the haphazard and decentalized efforts of local humanitarian organizations to rescue migrants.
Thank you for the report and the map of migrant deaths. Both are heartbreaking. Now we voters need to do what Pamela Powers recommends: find, support, and fund legislative candidates who will champion the list of actions you included.
You're right. Even though the Democratic Caucus was half Latino during my six years in the Legislature, there were no bills to save lives at the Border. GOP passed $500 million for the shipping container wall and enforcement. For years, I tried to get funding for prenatal care to stop preventable death before and after childbirth. That got some money in 2022 but not enough The Legislature focuses on preventing fetal death. Everyone else is on their own in Arizona. Your to-do list to prevent Border death is a good start. All you need is a champion in the Legislature.