When drugs make it across the border, local law enforcement agencies have a bigger role to play in stopping them from hitting the streets. Federal grant programs like Operation Stonegarden compensate state and local agencies for work done in cooperation with Border Patrol. Recently the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to accept the funding again. Supervisor Sharon Bronson delivered the swing vote in favor of Stonegarden. She discussed her support with Lorraine Rivera.
"Stonegarden funding was going to stay here whether we took it or not. It would end up going to the other jurisdictions," Bronson said. She also supports redirecting some of the funding to non-governmental organizations that provide humanitarian aid to migrants just released from federal custody. Bronson also praised Sheriff Mark Napier for agreeing to certain terms about how he will apply the grant within his department.
"Humane Borders has water stations out in the desert and they have been vandalized. The sheriff has agreed to work very closely with Humane Borders to assure that we stop that," Bronson said.
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