The ranch liaison program has been a cooperative effort between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol and ranchers since the organization formed and is a vital part in protecting the southern border.

The Del Rio sector covers approximately 59,500 square miles of land in 41 counties, much of which is privately owned ranch land.

Friday’s meeting was informal and included a tour of the station on U.S. Highway 90 east of Del Rio, a brief overview of the agency’s day-to-day operations, and concluded with a barbeque complete with brisket and cabrito.

Raul Ortiz, patrol agent-in-charge of the Del Rio station, called the meeting to help open communication with area ranchers.

“This is a partnership with the goal of reducing crime in our community and maintain a good quality of life,” said Ortiz, who has served the agency in the Del Rio area since 2001.

One area Ortiz emphasized to the more than 30 ranchers in attendance was the importance of the tips the ranchers call in when they see things out of the ordinary.

Ortiz explained that the Del Rio station covers 26 miles of Texas/Mexico border from Amistad Dam to Sycamore Creek and the agency would like to catch everyone entering the country illegally at the border, but those who are not captured must be tracked over area ranch land.

The ranchers were shown a video made recently by border patrol agents who work at the Del Rio station, which showed snippets of the different operations performed out of the station including the horse patrol, K-9 operations, boat patrols, and checkpoint examinations.

Following the video, Ortiz opened the floor for a brief question and answer session.

One area rancher quizzed Ortiz on the effectiveness of the Minutemen, an organization composed of private citizens who patrol the border and call in illegal activity they witness.

Ortiz said that he had not seen where the Minutemen organization had assisted them with any of their operations and added that he would prefer that the Border Patrol do their own apprehensions.

“You never know if it’s an illegal coming across or a drug smuggler and we want to err on the side of caution,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz was also asked about weapons being crossed in the Del Rio area and how effective the Border Patrol really is.

Ortiz stated that he had not seen a situation with weapons being crossed in the area and added that with stepped up law enforcement south of Del Rio he felt it may become an issue, but the sector was ready to handle it.

On the issue of effectiveness Ortiz said he felt that the Del Rio Sector was probably operating at 70-80 percent.

“Of course we would like to see 100 percent of all illegal action caught and that’s what we shoot for,” said Ortiz.

“We gauge our effectiveness on what stations up north are doing. If it’s slow there, then we know we’re doing our job well,” said Ortiz.

Reprinted with permission from the Del Rio News-Herald