by Lauren Scott
Gov. Katie Hobbs announced on June 2 more than $25 million in border security awards for Yuma, Somerton, and Wellton Counties, and the Cocopah Indian Tribe.
The funds will upgrade communications equipment, expand vehicle fleets, and hire additional personnel. They will allow local law enforcement to do their jobs more efficiently.
Hobbs made the announcement during a press conference at Somerton City Hall in south Yuma County.
“This funding will allow these cities to invest in meaningful technological support and ensure they have the tools needed to effectively manage the border,” Hobbs said at the news conference.
The funding comes amid increased border crossings in the weeks after President Joe Biden ended Title 42, a COVID-19 pandemic-era rule allowing asylum seekers and others to be turned away at the border.
Yuma Chief of Police Thomas Garrity said this grant will deliver professional services to the community.
The City of Somerton thanked Hobbs on Twitter “for helping secure vital funding for our Police Department.”
Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot said the funding would upgrade their current radio system.
The Cocopah Indian Tribe posted on its Facebook page, “Of the combined total of $25 million, Cocopah will receive $2.3 million for critical equipment the Cocopah Police Department needs to assist in its Public Safety Mission along the Mexico border.”
Hobbs said she is committed to assisting local law enforcement while ensuring the humane treatment of migrants.
“I made a promise to Arizona that I would put politics aside and bring people together to strategically tackle our state’s biggest issues,” Hobbs said. “This funding reflects that promise.”
– – –
Lauren Scott is an intern reporter at The Center Square during her senior year at Hillsdale College studying history and journalism. Last year she was the assistant opinions editor at her college newspaper, the Hillsdale Collegian, and this year she is the city news editor.
Image “Gov Katie Hobbs” by The Cocopah Indian Tribe.
Then finish the wall –
I’ll believe what Gov. Katie says when I see it done. Since taking office she’s done everything to keep the border open so ILLEGAL ALIENS can break FEDERAL LAW, the law of the land in order for those illegals can overrun Yuma, and have our state over supplied with Fentenal and other drugs.
This one thing isn’t going to keep her in office. The day is coming when she’ll be recalled thank the Lord.
I did not hear Hobbs talk about finishing building the wall. That alone will take most of the stress off of the counties. Then you would mostly need surveillance and not put the agents and citizens in harms way. They always want to put a band-aid on a gaping wound. Take care of it correctly in the first place through common sense and you would not have the problem in the first place. Can’t have that though-can we!