Outdated fence in Douglas replaced

Douglas Dispatch

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced last week the completion of construction replacing an estimated 6.1 miles of outdated primary pedestrian fencing along the U.S-Mexico border adjacent to the city of Douglas.

The new fence stands 18 feet tall and goes down 6-8 feet into the ground. The project began in early October as part of CBP’s ongoing effort to strengthen the security of Arizona’s border with Mexico by replacing “landing mat” style fencing, originally constructed in the early 1990s, establishes better levels of persistent impedance by raising the overall height and providing a deeper, more robust below-grade foundation in areas susceptible to erosion — making it significantly more difficult to breach.

“This new fencing will greatly hinder transnational criminal organizations from attempting to commit their criminal acts and allow our agents to see threats more easily, thus keeping our communities safer for our friends and families,” said Tucson Sector Border Patrol Chief Richard A. Barlow.

Of the 262 linear miles of border Tucson Sector is responsible for securing, approximately 210 miles have some type of pedestrian and vehicle fencing.