Ariz. Weighs Options for Border Patrol

Ariz. Weighs Options for Border Patrol

PHOENIX (AP) - As public frustration grows over the state's porous border with Mexico, the once-rejected notion of using state police to supplement federal patrols is gaining traction.

One state lawmaker's plan includes $20 million for the Arizona Department of Public Safety to run a 100-member squad to operate surveillance equipment, construct border barriers, target drug and immigrant smugglers and perhaps patrol the border.

"I'm not putting the handcuffs on. Whatever they need to do, they need to be doing," said Republican Rep. Russell Pearce, the plan's sponsor.

Another proposal by Gov. Janet Napolitano would have two state police squads focus on immigrant smuggling cases. Both plans also offer millions of dollars to communities to tackle illegal immigration, and money for combating gang-related border crime.