see also: in 2008 Fiscal Year in Review Field News Releases:   CBP Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for Baltimore Port of Entry   CBP Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for San Diego Air and Marine Unit   CBP Border Patrol Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for El Paso Sector   CBP Border Patrol Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for Ramey Sector   CBP Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for Arizona Ports of Entry   CBP Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for Midwest Ports of Entry   CBP Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Achievements for Buffalo Area Ports of Entry ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. – The Yuma Sector’s various enforcement measures has lead to unprecedented successes in decreasing illegal cross-border activity.

• 8,363 arrests in FY 2008 compared to 37,992 arrests in FY 2007– a 78 percent decrease

As a result of the decreases in arrests, the Yuma Sector has also experienced a substantial reduction in rescue situations and death incidents. This is correlated to the Yuma Sector’s successful deterrence of illegal entries into the United States.

• 21 rescues in FY 2008 compared to 77 rescues in FY 2007 – a 72 percent decrease
• 5 deaths in FY 2008 compared to 11 deaths in FY 2007 – a 55 percent decrease

The dramatic reduction in activity can be attributed to increases in personnel, detection technology, and border infrastructure that prevent and deter illegal incidents from occurring. The Yuma Sector presently has a total of 94 miles of fencing – a 797 percent increase since FY 2005 - including primary, secondary, tertiary and anti-vehicular fencing. Fencing spans from the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area to remote sections of the border near the Yuma/Pima County line, west of Ajo, Ariz.

With the addition of more Border Patrol agents in the Yuma Sector, the Intelligence Unit has been able to strengthen itself by adding more enforcement personnel into the department. The Border Patrol’s mission of securing the U.S. border from terrorist and terrorists threats was taken to heart and a Border Intelligence Center was implemented to deliver real time tactical and actionable intelligence to station commanders.

The Yuma Sector has a solid partnership with state, local, tribal, and other federal law enforcement agencies. Four hundred fifty acres of brush along the Colorado River, which had posed a serious officer safety risk to members of both departments was cleared through a partnership effort with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office. Collaboration has lead to participation in a number of initiatives such as Operation Stonegarden, Operation Blade Runner, and Operation Citation. Theses operations were designed to reduce cross-border crime and brought an improved quality of life to the community.

These continual efforts to accomplish the mission set before us do not always come without sacrifices. On January 19, we lost a hero, Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, while he was deploying a Controlled Tire Deflation Device to stop a suspected narcotics smuggler. He made the ultimate sacrifice defending our way of life and he will not be forgotten. On October 11, United Desert Gateway and Bureau of Land Management held a ceremony that included the dedication of the road which is the entrance to the Imperial County San Dunes in his honor. The road is now named “Luis A. Aguilar Road.”

The Yuma Sector will not waver from its goal to secure our border against all threats and while doing so, foster an environment of zero tolerance for illegal activity within our area of responsibility. It will deploy a well-trained workforce that sets the standard for professionalism, efficiency and performance in the law enforcement community while providing a service that merits public trust and confidence.

“I would like to thank all Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents for their continued contributions and for a job well done,” said Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.