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Rancher Gives Insight To Life On The Border

Where Federal Fence Stops, Crossing Into U.S. Is Easy

Elizabeth Erwin, CBS 5 News

POSTED: 9:48 am MST November 8, 2010
UPDATED: 10:36 am MST November 8, 2010

NOGALES, Ariz. -- Dan Bell has the qualifications to be the unofficial tour guide of the Arizona-Mexico border.

"My grandfather came here in the '30s and my parents both grew up here in Nogales. So did I," Bell said as he prepared to take a CBS 5 News crew on a tour of the border region to show what life is like along the fence.

Bell has seen firsthand the happenings between Arizona and Mexico, and the changes over the past few decades, changes that brought CBS 5 News to the Bell ranch to witness what life is like for people living along right on the border.

"Over the years, it seems like it has become more violent, more aggressive," he said

"There's been a couple shootings on the ranch, gunfire exchanges with the border patrol and smugglers," he said.

He pointed to some red lights to the south. "That's Mexico right there," he said.

CBS 5 News arrived at the Bell ranch in the dark, and right away could see evidence someone had been there. A barbed-wire fence standing tall only a day ago was now laying on its side.

"I noticed today it was mashed down," he said.

Bell has a matter-of-fact attitude. He said he's not shocked people have been hopping his fence.

He's not happy about it either.

"It is frustrating," he said. "We've got a couple guys who work with us on the ranch and that's primarily what they do every day is go out and check fence, every day."

At the next stop the news crew and Bell weren't alone. A U.S. Border Patrol alert sensor had been tripped.

It was a welcome sight and one the expedition will experience again.

Once morning comes, Bell shows off an area people don't typically get to see.

"This is where the border wall ends and the regular barbed-wire fence picks up," he said.

And there was company. Two men on the Mexico side of the fence carried water bottles made their way to the fence. They changed directions once they spot the CBS 5 crew and Bell.

"I mean this is just right here," he said. "There are bottles everywhere. I mean I'm stepping all over them, they're just everywhere."

It was evidence that Bell and the crew weren't the only ones who've been there and also proof this barbed-wire fence is no barrier for someone determined to cross the border.

One only has to squeeze between the lines of fence to cross the border.

Bell doesn't know if any solution will stick, but he said he's just trying to make the best of what life has become.

"It's just unfortunate," he said. "It's increased the risk to all of us out here."

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