Yuma, Arizona.(Photo: Bob Riha, Jr., USA TODAY)
TUCSON, Ariz. -- A new report shows the U.S. Border Patrol's
Tucson sector remains the busiest along the U.S. Mexican border but
concludes the agency hasn't set goals to improve security.
The
report from the General Accountability Office also says the agency
doesn't accurately access risks and needs when it deploys officers.
Rep. Ron Barber asked the GAO to look at the Border Patrol and review its security strategy and its resource needs.
The
review found a 6 percent dip in apprehensions border-wide between 2008
and 2011. But the Tucson sector accounted for 38 percent of all drug
seizures and 37 percent of all apprehensions despite covering just 13
percent of the area.
Barber plans community meetings in Douglas and Tucson late this month to discuss the report's findings.
Associated Press