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Police see opportunity in federal border program

By Jonathon Shacat
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Nov 25, 2007 - 06:10:40 am MST

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BISBEE — The Bisbee and Douglas police departments participate in an initiative that offers overtime pay to officers for doing work to help stop illegal immigrants from entering the United States.

Police in Sierra Vista are not involved in the program.

Money, call volume and proximity to Mexico are some of the factors that play a role in the situation.

Area police officers working on routine patrols sometimes stop a driver of a vehicle who can’t provide identification. If they suspect the person is an illegal immigrant, they notify the Border Patrol.

Funding from Operation Stonegarden allows officers the opportunity to put forth additional efforts to secure the border.

“Stonegarden is a federally funded interdiction program. While the purpose is aimed at finding illegal immigrants in the country, the method is simply proactive traffic enforcement,” said Kenneth Kimmel, Sierra Vista police chief.

Marcus Gonzalez, public information officer for the Douglas Police Department, said the Stonegarden program gives officers a chance to look out for suspicious vehicles or frequently stolen vehicles. If they find probable cause to stop a particular vehicle, they pull it over and check the identity of the driver and passengers.

“On routine patrols, we don’t have resources and time to ask everybody inside the vehicle for identification,” he said. “On Stonegarden, we are not answering calls for service on department time. Stonegarden is a detail, so we can spend more time and further investigate it.”

Bisbee Police Chief Jim Elkins said a lot of vehicle stops come about as a result of tips from members of the public who witness a bunch of people coming out of the brush and getting into a van. Other times officers see a vehicle that is obviously overloaded, so they watch for an infraction and stop the driver.

He said his officers recently stopped a Chevy Suburban carrying 19 people. In the past, they have stopped a smaller-sized motor home with 76 people inside. He credits the Stonegarden program with helping make the highways safer by getting those types of vehicles off the road.

Kimmel said the Sierra Vista Police Department does not deal with immigration issues directly unless a person commits a violation of state law or local ordinance.

In 2006, his officers handled 50,219 calls for service, took 11,803 offense reports, investigated 769 traffic accidents and stopped 16,042 violators for traffic offenses, according to the department’s annual report.

“We may have a sergeant and 6 to 7 officers working on a shift at any given time,” Kimmel said. “Handing that call load and doing that amount of proactive traffic enforcement doesn’t give us a lot of time to really discriminate between whether the person is an illegal immigrant or just a traffic violator.”

Gonzalez and Elkins acknowledged that their respective departments don’t deal with as many calls for service as Sierra Vista police do.

Kimmel said his officers are so busy that they are “not enthused” about taking part in Stonegarden. There are several other overtime options available, such as doing training, working security at football games or contracting for off-duty work.

He pointed out Bisbee and Douglas are located closer to the border than Sierra Vista is. As a result, the illegal immigrant activity there may cause those two police departments to focus more closely on the issue.

“There is a salary difference as well,” he said. “If you want to make more money, you will work Stonegarden.”

Elkins noted that the cities of Bisbee and Douglas can potentially benefit financially from the sale of some of the vehicles that police stop.

“If there is nobody in that vehicle that says, ‘Hey this is my vehicle, here is the registration,’ then we take that vehicle and after 15 days we will file abandoned title work on it,” he said. “If the state fails to find anybody with interest in it, then after their extensive investigation, they turn the car over to us and we get the title to it and we sell it at the city auction.”

HERALD/REVIEW reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.

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Agree with Wayne wrote on Dec 2, 2007 7:52 PM:

" But he forgot to mention our beloved Police Chief, that doesn't want to have his officers, call the BP for illegals, that they encounter. The officers are probably encouraged to say in Spanish, "have a nice day, be on your way". "

wayne wrote on Dec 2, 2007 8:16 AM:

" SV needs to do what Greely Colorado has done. Vote out the pro illegal Mayor and vote in a real patriot. Only then can SV have a police force worthy of the name. "

Casper Weiss wrote on Nov 30, 2007 8:39 PM:

" If the SV Police DID deal with illegal immigration directly, as the Douglas and Bisbee Policed do, there would be much less gang violence. This is a proven fact with other cities. With out dealing with illegal immigration you get a migration into your, so called, sanctuary city, the gangs feel that they are protected, and they are. What other crimes don't police department go after????? "

To Gratitude wrote on Nov 29, 2007 8:01 PM:

" Our police department stopped 2000 cars on a DWI check point. Never bothered to check how many illegals were in those cars, and if they thought there were illegals in some of those cars, the chief's orders are to just keep going, on you merry way. But after how many man hours of overtime pay, they managed to arrest three of the most dangerous people in the area, people that were above .08. Probably the same night that four people were in a gun battle. "

To Gratitude, just another one wrote on Nov 29, 2007 2:46 PM:

" Maybe you are right, they may not be commiting MOST of the crime in SV but have you been here in Fairfax VA a suburb of DC lately. Literaly 1/3 of our jail houses UDI's, nearly 2000, costing this county over $20,000,000 a year in detention alone. It is so bad that PW county has enacted the toughest UDI ordinances in the country, 1 in three serious crimes & 70% of homicides commited by a UDI, how many of them could have been stopped in my hometown of SV, the region that arguably has the highest UDI flow in US. "

Bobby wrote on Nov 29, 2007 12:54 PM:

" MOre important things to do like hanging around the donut shop when not giving little old American citizen ladies two-hundred dollar tickets. Useless. I want my tax money returned. "

Gratitude wrote on Nov 28, 2007 10:04 PM:

" Thank you to the SVPD and the Chief for your stance on illegal immigration. It is obvious that you are an integeral part of the solution. Thank you for not wasting the city's resources by trying to track down every Mexican looking for a job to help his family. There are much bigger fish to fry around here. Obviously, "I know how to read" knows very little about police administration or the criminal justice system. He is the type to complain about anything you do. Typical "arm chair quarterback". Keep up the good work. We support you! "

then learn some law wrote on Nov 28, 2007 7:37 PM:

" there is no state law against "being here" and local police officers are tasked to answer calls for service in the locality where they work. not run around screening people for immigration status. ive seen svpd and bp on the sideof BST and 90 together working side by side plenty. but it isnt their primary mission. ps, i hate UDAs, but they arent the ones doing burglaries ad drivebys. they are a distraction. "

I know how to read wrote on Nov 27, 2007 7:27 PM:

" And this is what out chief said. Kimmel said the Sierra Vista Police Department does not deal with immigration issues directly unless a person commits a violation of state law or local ordinance. In other words we like to look the other way. "

Louis wrote on Nov 27, 2007 7:16 PM:

" 10 to 20 hours of overtime a month, god I wish that's all the overtime I worked, what a whiner! Guess SVPD shouldn't complain about the illegal problem if they don't want to be part of the solution, sad considering all the other departments that are getting involved, I guess that really says something about the personnel there. "

To learn how to read wrote on Nov 27, 2007 6:55 PM:

" If you can, Kimmel said the Sierra Vista Police Department does not deal with immigration issues directly unless a person commits a violation of state law or local ordinance. What ever he means by that? "

learn how to read wrote on Nov 27, 2007 2:46 PM:

" stonegarden is a detail that asks officers to work past the normal work week, and pays the overtime. what kimmil means, im pretty sure, is that his officers dont want to add the hours. i talked to a sv cop, and he basically told me as much. he also said he works 10 to 20 hours hours a month overtime regaurdless, just to get the job done. "

Logan wrote on Nov 27, 2007 9:35 AM:

" Maybe SV crime rate that seems to be going up has something to do with a department that don't like to get involved. "

Bobby wrote on Nov 26, 2007 8:17 PM:

" Lighten up, what are YOU lighten up. "

To Sgt. Jim Adams wrote on Nov 26, 2007 6:22 PM:

" Maybe in your next article, you can put your spin on why the chief, doesn't care if someone is illegal, if they are stopped for a traffic violation. What do you do with an illegal that doesn't have a license, or insurance? What would you do with me, an American Citizen, if I didn't have a license or insurance? Bet you ignore this invite. Or are you just going to tell us about antifreeze again? "

Bobby wrote on Nov 26, 2007 12:29 PM:

" Personally, the cops are useless to me. What good are they to me as a citizen, but to give me two-hundred dollar tickets for some minor traffic slip-up? Forget about protection. We have seen during many, many, demonstrations by American citizens and legal residents against illegal immigration that when the reconquista groups and other illegal alien enablers have attacked citizens and legal residents over and over, the police did exactly NOTHING. I would list the instances but I'd be typing for half an hour. "

You're kidding, Don? wrote on Nov 26, 2007 12:29 PM:

" We should be helping all these illegals cross legally? Are you going to pay for them out of YOUR pocket? Are you going to pay their medical out of your pocket? Do you know what millions of uneducated people do to an economy? Picking produce does not provide enough income for a family to survive on. The taxpayers will be paying for the education and medical of millions of people (like we are already). There are reasons why countries protect themselves against uncontrolled immigration. Go educate yourself please. "

don wrote on Nov 26, 2007 5:38 AM:

" if we spent as much tyime and money, into helping mexicans enter leagely, we would save lots of money and be doing wqhat we should be doing. hate campaigns never accomplish anything except to make a lot of victims. "

Lighten up wrote on Nov 25, 2007 10:15 PM:

" Hey, take it easy. Let's all be respectful of each other, kind to animals, and practice birth control. Don't build that wall: no good in China, no good in Berlin, no good here. Lighten up and share the water. "

Time wrote on Nov 25, 2007 7:57 PM:

" I think it is time for a new chief. This one has selective enforcement of the laws. What does he instruct his officers to do, when they stop a car for a violation, and the illegal doesn't have insurance, or a license, give them a warning? "

Eyes wide open wrote on Nov 25, 2007 6:43 PM:

" It's kind of sad how the Border Patrol can count on DPD, BPD, CCSO and even Huachucha City PD but not with SVPD. I used to hear them on my scanner call their dispatch and request help from the above departments but never request Sierra Vista because they all knew they wouldn't help. SAD!!! Maybe it's time we look for another chief who isn't afraid to stop the law breakers. "

Just another one wrote on Nov 25, 2007 6:39 PM:

" Sierra Vista is just another SANCUARY CITY that enables the illegal immigration problems that pleague our nation. If SV's police where more proactive in stopping suspected illegals the rest of the nation would suffer less. STOP SANCUARY CITIES, damand that they enforce ALL LAWS of our land and if they refuse, then replace them with officials who will. He says he is to short manpower and money, so is your hospital that illegals are draining your funds from because the police chief allows it to happen! TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR STREETS SIERRA VISTA, the nation is counting on you! "

critter wrote on Nov 25, 2007 6:37 PM:

" About Time! Deport Illegals! "

ScottyDog wrote on Nov 25, 2007 5:06 PM:

" Kimmel said his officers are so busy that they are “not enthused” about taking part in Stonegarden Maybe the police chief needs to find some officers that are interested in enforcing the law rather than looking the other way. I would bet this is his opinion and his opinion alone. Most officers are more than willing to arrest illegals but the politically correct chief is looking to the next election for Illegal votes. "

politically incorrect wrote on Nov 25, 2007 4:25 PM:

" SV residents relax....the sheriffs department has plenty of officers willing to take that overtime money to work traffic details within the city limits. what the SVPD won't take they will. "

Bobby wrote on Nov 25, 2007 3:00 PM:

" Look, we Americans are in a sense getting what we deserve.Everyday that passes proves that illegl aliens have more rights than Americans do. We are in essence operating in this nation with two legal systems, one for illegal alines(hands off) and one for American citizens(business as usuall--jury duty, fines, tickets, etc.) WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE WHEN WE ALLOW ANY POLITICIAN WHO EVEN WHISPERS ANYTHING ABOUT GIVING ILLEGAL ALIENS RIGHTS AMERICANS DO NOT HAVE TO GET AWAY WITH IT BY ALLOWING THEM TO KEEP THEIR CUSHY JOBS. TRUE OR NOT? "

Jacqueline O'Connor wrote on Nov 25, 2007 2:01 PM:

" I wish SV Police Chief Ken Kimmel was more willing to cooperate on immigration matters. He won't allow the department to participate in the 287G program or Operation Stonegarden. Are the SV police too busy or too politically correct? Kimmel's reasoning doesn't make sense, to me. I'd like to see them help in this fight against illegal aliens. "

Daves wrote on Nov 25, 2007 1:45 PM:

" Start flooding your local newspapers with commentary about this terrible travesty of our immigration laws. Daily I contact about thirty free accounts on bulletin boards, forums and inform THE PEOPLE, what is happening nationwide. Major newspress do not cover this information, as they are either restricted by their corporate bosses, the liberal editors, the globalist open-border agenda.! We all know that this is not just California; it's nationwide.! We have been invaded without a shot and only the U.S. citizen can halt it with our votes. Contact your representative and demand they co-author the "SAVE ACT" "

Bob from West Virginia wrote on Nov 25, 2007 1:13 PM:

" This program may work right on the border where the Border Patrol has some jurisdiction. But inland the program depends on ICE (Immigrations and Customers Enforcement). ICE often refuses to take the illegal immigrants into custody. In Irving Texas, the city has been turning over 1700 illegal aliens to ICE per year. Now ICE is refusing 60% of then or about 1,000 per year. Recently in Vail Colorado, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Department apprehended two dozen illegal immigrants; ICE refused to pick them up, and they were released. "

Angry wrote on Nov 25, 2007 10:01 AM:

" On our tax return we can choose to to send $5 to the federal re-election fun - right - well, lets change that to help the local law enforcement - I would check the box . "

sierravistan wrote on Nov 25, 2007 9:59 AM:

" ...about time!!!!! "

R.J. Grossfelt wrote on Nov 25, 2007 9:35 AM:

" Chief Kimmel does not think Sierra Vista Police need/have time to determine whether people are breaking the law by being in America illegally, I believe city residents do. As to high call volume, if police were being proactive and having those law breakers removed, the crime tallies he cited would drop. We need a police chief who wants laws enforced, not one who tolerates a laid back department that does not check the status of vehicle occupants unless paid extra to do so. Take back those raises and promotions they got and get a new police chief "

Wow, unbelievable... wrote on Nov 25, 2007 9:22 AM:

" You would think after that accident that claimed, I believe--9 lives, that SVPD would take a proactive interest in helping stem the illegal flow. It is just too easy to say it is a federal problem and ignore it. I know the BP assists local PD's when necessary. Can you imagine if they just turned their noses? They would be paid for this. Unbelievable--sorry but this is a letdown by the SVPD. It is an issue in SV and to pretend it isn't is just as good as sticking your head in the ground. "

Donzo wrote on Nov 25, 2007 8:21 AM:

" The should never be financial benefit to law enforcement such as vehicle sales. This leads to corruption due to finacial motive. Wake up people, we need to maintain integrity to maintain repect for our police. "

SV Resident wrote on Nov 25, 2007 8:01 AM:

" It should be EVERY law enforcement officers job to ENFORCE the law. That includes getting rid of ILLEGAL aliens. "We are not interested" is not an acceptable answer. Do your job. "

Enforcer wrote on Nov 25, 2007 6:26 AM:

" So, Kenneth Kimmel, Sierra Vista police chief, doesn't care if the traffic violaters are illegals. Catch and release, to go on your merry way, and commit other crimes. Illegals are criminals, Kimmel. "