Thread: SAN DIEGO : IN ABOUT-FACE, BORDER PATROL TO BAR PUBLIC ACCES

SAN DIEGO :
IN ABOUT-FACE, BORDER PATROL TO BAR PUBLIC ACCESS AT PARK

Agency cites security in halting longstanding practice

By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer

Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:07 PM PST

IMPERIAL BEACH ---- In an about-face, the Border Patrol has decided to bar public access to Friendship Park, a neutral site on the U.S.-Mexico border where friends and families met to touch, exchange quiet greetings, even steal a kiss through a steel mesh fence.

As part of a larger project to secure the border, the federal government is building a second fence behind the current barrier that will keep people about 30 yards apart. Today, only the steel mesh fence divides the half-acre park near the Pacific Ocean.

"Our families meet here, we have cultural events, and a priest comes to give Mass," said Jose Rodriguez, a young man on the Mexican side of the border. "I sometimes bring my guitar and play."



U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jose Morales watches the border fence at Friendship Park. The obelisk monument marks the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. When a second fence is completed on the U.S. side, people will no longer be able to come together and visit near the monument, as they have for many years. (Photo by Bill Wechter - staff photographer)

That won't be allowed in the future.

Last month, Michael Fisher, the Border Patrol's chief agent in San Diego, said the agency was considering building a gate on the second fence. The gate would be open during the day to allow families to continue meeting each other at the park.

Now, Border Patrol officials say that keeping the gate open would be too risky.

"At this time, there is not projected to be any public access for national security reasons," said Jose Morales, a spokesman for the agency, during a recent tour of the border.

Morales and other border officials have said that criminals have taken advantage of the close contact allowed in the area.

People have been caught in the area selling drugs, smuggling illegal immigrants and trading in false documents, Fisher said in an interview last month.

"It's an area of vulnerability that we recognize we have to be able to shore up," he said.

Human rights activists say the park has historical and symbolic value. They say the Border Patrol should be able to work around security problems to let the public continue to visit at the park, which sits on a grassy mesa overlooking the ocean, called Monument Mesa.

The park was dedicated by first lady Patricia Nixon in the 1970s as a symbol of binational goodwill. It is on the southwestern corner of the 800-acre Border Field State Park.

Friendship Park is sometimes called Friendship Circle because of its shape. An obelisk monument marking the border between the U.S. and Mexico sits at its center. It was planted there shortly after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican War in 1848.

Clay Phillips, superintendent of the state park, said he hopes the Border Patrol reconsiders its decision.

"The state park recognizes that this is a federal issue, but we are hopeful that the federal government will reconsider and allow some level of access to the monument," Phillips said.

On the Mexican side, part of the circle has been paved over to make way for a road around the Plaza Monumental de Toros, a bullring near the beach. Nearby are a lighthouse, restaurants and curio shops for tourists, who often gawk at San Diego over the crumbling border fence.

Tijuana resident Angel Alvarado stood watching as earthmovers carved out a road that will be built between the two fences. The road is intended to help agents patrol the area.

The middle-aged man said he hoped President Barack Obama would stop construction, but also expressed doubt about whether the new president would change course.

"I don't see any change," Alvarado said. "Only God knows. He gives and takes away."

Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.

N C TIMES . COM

Originally Posted by Skip

REGION: In about-face, Border Patrol to bar public access at park
Agency cites security in halting longstanding practice
By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:07 PM PST

LOL...what happened to the rest of the article?

Originally Posted by redpony353

Originally Posted by Skip

REGION: In about-face, Border Patrol to bar public access at park
Agency cites security in halting longstanding practice
By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:07 PM PST

LOL...what happened to the rest of the article?

I was in a hurry

"At this time, there is not projected to be any public access for national security reasons,"

Someone cares about America's security? I'm surprised.
Janet N. will not be happy!

oh its here now....thanks

Originally Posted by Skip

Originally Posted by redpony353

Originally Posted by Skip

REGION: In about-face, Border Patrol to bar public access at park
Agency cites security in halting longstanding practice
By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:07 PM PST

LOL...what happened to the rest of the article?

I was in a hurry

(3) Comments

Ed January 24, 2009 6:17PM PST
The spokesman says it is closing because of 'national security reasons'. What? Seven years after 9/11 and billions spent on homeland security and only now it's deemed a security risk?

Dadakulit January 24, 2009 6:46PM PST
Maybe the news of the drug smuggler caught yesterday in Tijuana who admitted to disposing of 300 dead bodies in acid was the last straw.

Dadakulit January 24, 2009 7:04PM PST
GET ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY TO THE O MIGHTY OBAMA ! He will fix it. See Accompanying story : Obama breaks from Bush, avoids divisive stands http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/01 ... tri401.txt

Originally Posted by Skip

"I sometimes bring my guitar and play."

I think the 'loss' of your guitar playing is one tragedy which this country can pass with stoic calm...

Originally Posted by Skip

People have been caught in the area selling drugs, smuggling illegal immigrants and trading in false documents, Fisher said in an interview last month.

So while Mexicans are weeping and moaning about the "barriers that separate and divide us" a brisk trade in rolled up pieces of paper are being shoved through the holes in the chain link fence where you can get a stolen Social Security Number here, a stolen drivers license there and fake birth certificates and other items meant to throw Americans out of work...

"Our families meet here, we have cultural events, and a priest comes to give Mass," said Jose Rodriguez, a young man on the Mexican side of the border. "I sometimes bring my guitar and play."

Doesnt the priest have anywhere else to give Mass than right on the border fence?

ITS GREAT THAT SOMEONE CARES ABOUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY FOR A CHANGE. KEEP ON BUILDING.