/ Modified feb 22, 2019 4:33 p.m.

Nogales City Leader Reacts to Concertina Wire at Border

Deputy City Manager John Kissinger is also a former Nogales police officer.

Before President Trump declared a national emergency at the border, the federal government had already taken steps to fortify barriers along Arizona's border with Mexico by installing concertina wire at the top of bollard fencing in a few communities like the City of Nogales.

Within the last month, the military installed additional rows of wire that reach the ground in some sections.

The move led to pushback from city leaders who said they would consider suing the federal government as a last resort to get it taken down. Lorraine Rivera spoke to Deputy City Manager John Kissinger about some of the concerns

"I'm very worried that some small child or unexpected person could walk into that wire and get tangled up," Kissinger said. "I've seen the effects of concertina wire on a person, and it's not pretty."

Kissinger is also a retired police officer who served the Nogales Police Department for nearly 30 years. Rivera asked if he could see the value of a fortified wall in helping bolster the efforts of law enforcement.

"I could see the value of it, but I would also be hopeful that somebody would keep me in check and make sure I that didn't harm anybody in doing my job," Kissinger said.

Arizona 360
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