Safety on the Rio Grande

What interesting things we see and learn while out enjoying ourselves!  One glorious afternoon, 8 of us decided we should visit a nearby attraction, The Riverside Club.  It was a perfect afternoon for sitting outside on a shaded wooden deck along the Rio Grande River, surrounded by flowering hibiscus, gently swaying palm trees, tropical cacti, listening to the beat of dance music playing in the background.  As we munched nachos and sipped our Margaritas we became aware of huge speed boats, bearing Texas Highway Patrol insignia, racing up and down the river.  While jokingly remarking about their intent we also noticed an army helicopter flying back and forth across the cloudless blue sky.

When it was time to leave, the lead car (bearing our appointed tour guide) chose to take an alternative route back to the RV park.  We drove along the top of a very narrow levee with the Rio Grande on one side and a deep irrigation ditch on the other.  Eventually, we arrived at a popular park situated at the base of the Anzalduas Dam.  As we drove through the gate we could see Mexican families throwing nets into the river.  They had fires burning in nearby bar-b-ques just waiting, we were sure, to cook their catch.  Waving, we travelled a little further to a parking area where we spotted half a dozen police cruisers stopped along the boat ramp.

Alighting from the truck, we approached one of the officers who was leaning against the hood of  his car observing fellow patrolmen as they loaded one of the huge speed boats we had been watching onto a trailer.  We were just in time!  At close range we could see there were three 300hp motors mounted on the back of the boat.  No wonder they were able to speed along so smoothly!  There were two similar vessels pulling out of the water, each manned by 6 officers and each heavily loaded with an arsenal of deadly looking artillery.

The informative policeman we were talking with told us the patrol boats are capable of travelling at 90 mph but normally cruise at 60. During the course of their 12 hour shift they frequently encounter illegal aliens and drug smugglers.  The two countries are so close to one another at that precise location that we could easily see a cluster of buildings on Mexican terrain where several men were seen to be observing the activities of the patrol boats.  The officer told us it is a losing battle trying to stop illegal activity, for once they (policemen) move on, the Mexicans swim across often carrying drugs and other illicit booty.  As the police presence, via patrol boat, departed another contingent arrived prepared to patrol by land.  Those men were mounted on four-wheelers, sporting bullet proof vests also all geared up with weapons. Definitely a very visible presence.  We asked our friendly officer if he felt safe standing where he was and he told us he felt extremely safe at the moment because we were shielding him from enemy fire!  Glad to be of service!!

Wandering away from the activity at the boat ramp we ventured over to a wooden deck overlooking a dock where three Border Patrol boats were lined up.  Never shy, we struck up a conversation with the uniformed men sitting at a picnic table.  They were waiting for the arrival of a retiring superior who was slated for one last tour of the river.  As the time drew near for the person to arrive we watched as the six employees vested up in their Kevlar and PDF's.  They got their guns into position ... one in the front of the boat, one in the rear ... and Ray noticed that the one lying on the front seat looked like a huge paint-ball gun.  In fact it was!  Those bazooka type guns are used first as a warning shot.  Then if the desired effect isn't achieved the gun loaded with real bullets is brought into play.  I don't know about you, but I think the first shot would be enough to deter me from any ill intent.

These are two female officers

Get those vests in place

 The dignitary was to ride in the enclosed boat ... safer that way!



As is often the case, being in the right place at the right time and initiating conversation garnered lots of information reassuring we tourists that safety on the Rio Grande is alive and well!