SAHUARTIA, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - Representative Martha McSally brought Congress to Southern Arizona on Monday to hold a hearing about the challenges of living near the border.
Local leaders, ranchers and business owners shared their perspectives on how to make our communities safer.
Many ranchers said barriers help keep some illegal drug activity out, but McSally says fences alone can't do the job.
"A barrier in and of itself isn't going to be secure out border. We need intelligence driven ops. We need to be detecting the activity well south of the border," said McSally.
"We need to be using sensors and air assets, manned and unmanned, in order to detect and monitor that activity. We need Border Patrol to get access on foot or ATV's, horse patrols, vehicles or helicopters to quickly intercept the activity south of the border, south of the ranchers. Not well into communities or well north of."
Since being appointed Chairwoman of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, McSally has led multiple hearings highlighting the needs of Southern Arizona residents.
