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Border Patrol to install rescue beacons in Deming, Lordsburg area
By Kevin Buey/For the Sun-News
Article Launched: 03/26/2008 06:46:04 AM MDT



DEMING — The U.S. Border Patrol is installing emergency rescue beacons in the open desert.

"They could be used by a rancher, rockhounder or hunter," said Rick Moody, agent-in-charge of the Deming Border Patrol station. "They're being put out there to assist in aiding any person in distress."

They would also be available for immigrants crossing the desert, to summon help in an emergency.

Three beacons are planned for the Deming area, four for Lordsburg. An additional three are to be added later in the Lordsburg area.

The hope, the Border Patrol says, is that the beacons will help reduce the number of deaths occurring in the desert.

"We designed them to go in what has traditionally been the highest traffic areas... away from the border, though," Moody said.

He described the units as "like a pole that has a light on top of it. It flashes when a button is pushed and sends an instant message to the Border Patrol Station that opens a communication device where they can talk back and forth."

"This is part of our border safety initiative, which we have been using for years to increase response to people in distress in the desert."

Moody said he hopes the beacons will be installed within a month or two.

Locations —which he did not disclose — have been determined and the agency is talking with landowners who might be impacted by placement.
Arizona has used the devices quite successfully for a few years, he said.

"They cost several hundred dollars," Moody said. "We have to make sure they are deployed in the right way. We don't want to put something out there that is not going to be used or responded to in the right way."

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