Douglas Dispatch

As residents and legislators of Cochise County and District #25, both Griffin and Stevens are aware of the necessity for strengthened border security.

Gail Griffin, who currently sits on the Senate’s Border Security, Federalism, and State Sovereignty Committee, has an extensive history of working toward securing our borders and getting our message to the federal government that our borders are not safe and that we must keep Arizona’s citizens safe!

Because of Senator Griffin and Representative Stevens relentless commitment to protecting our southern border, it is fitting that they were appointed to the interim Joint Security Advisory Committee. This committee will play a key role in analyzing the daily perils occurring at the border and beyond, as well as identifying sensible solutions to stop the crime and drugs entering our country.

The purpose of this committee is (1) take testimony and other evidence regarding the international border; (2) analyze border crossing statistics; (3) analyze related crime statistics; (4) make recommendations to increase border security (5) make other recommendations deemed essential to the committee. The meetings are open to the public but may go into executive session to consider evidence and testimony of sensitive or confidential in nature, which could compromise the security or safety of law enforcement or support operations.

Unfortunately, the problems at the Arizona-Mexico border have been neglected by the federal government. Luckily, legislators like Griffin and Stevens have taken it upon themselves to stand on a committee that will raise the awareness of the situation that begins at the border, but affects all of Arizona and the nation.

The Joint Border Security Advisory Committee will have their first meeting on Wednesday, March 30th, in House Hearing Room #1. The public is invited to attend and listen to testimony regarding crime and violence from those who witness it first hard on a daily basis.

As Arizona citizens, we are all impacted in some form by our unsecured border. This committee will play a major role in bringing public awareness to the severity of the issues and consequences of the failed federal government policies in securing our borders.