Thread: AZ: Neighbors fearful of violence in the desert

Neighbors fearful of violence in the desert
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 9:53 PM PDT
Updated: Sep 07, 2010 1:56 PM PDT

By Mark Stine

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - In the wake of a recent murder, where a man was shot and burned on the Ironwood Forest National Monument this weekend, people living in the area are worried for their safety.

"These things happen a lot, and have happened over the years quite a bit."

Cindy Coping is talking about the violence near her home Northwest of Tucson.

"You're very aware of your surroundings at all times, you're armed most of the time. And you know when somebody's coming down the road you take notice of it and you get a good look at them," Coping said.

Coping, a cattle rancher, worries because of incidents like this when detectives found a body shot and burned South of her ranch this weekend.

"It came to a head in 2007 when we had a murder out here, a mass shooting."

She's referring to a shooting that happened just outside their home. Four gunmen opened fire on this truck carrying 10 illegal immigrants, three of them died.

"People were left out here, some of them were, they were spread out over quite a distance."

Cindy Coping says recently they've seen a decrease in illegal immigration traffic out here on the Ironwood Forest National Monument, but she still attributes a majority of the violence out here to the immigration problem.

"We've rescued our share of people, but now when people come to us and say they need help, we're really taken back now," Coping told KOLD News 13.

She says the death of Rob Krentz in Douglas, a rancher who was killed by a suspected illegal immigrant, makes it hard to reach out and help sometimes.

"It does put a damper on your compassion for people," Coping said.

Cindy Coping just hopes there's a day when she can walk outside and not have to worry about running into danger. "It's very sad, very sad that such a beautiful place can be marred by such violence."

http://oneoldvet.com/

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=13108792

Wecome to the new reality of Illegal Immigration In the United States. We are slowly degenerating Into a third world nation of different cultures,languages,and customs. We are Importing poverty and crime at an alarming rate. The quality of life here In America Is rapidly deteriorating,and the future of our children Is In serious jeopardy. Here In California It Is a hopeless cause. The gangs are Infesting every city,and outdoor signs are now Increasingly In spanish. Drunk driving hit and runs, and drive by shootings happen daily,and our schools are overrun with anchors,and Illegals. I here more spanish than English on a normal day. R.I.P California,the rest of the United States Is not far behind.... TS