Stats don’t reflect border fear

Federal statistics may show a drop in violence for big cities in border states, but they don’t reflect the reality of rural areas along the border, local experts say. While the studies may be truthful, they don’t capture the reality of life along the border, said Palominas-based veterinarian Gary Thrasher. “Douglas is safer than it ever was, but go out into the San Bernardino Valley and it’s a different story,” Thrasher said. While larger cities are receiving federal dollars and beefing up efforts, they’re forcing border-related crime into the rural areas, said Thrasher, whose work with cattle ranchers takes him to both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. “They have those reports, and they certainly look good, but in fact they don’t tell the whole story,” he said. “They’re leaving us out.” Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever said residents of the rural areas along the border would come to a different conclusion. “You tell that to the people in the eastern part of the county who’ve experienced home invasions and multiple crimes,” Dever said. “Ask them if those statistics have any meaning.”...more