thedrifter
09-22-08, 07:56 AM
Confluence of Colorado and Gila rivers declared off-limits to Marines
FROM STAFF AND DESERT WARRIOR REPORTS
The confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers has been designated by the Marine Corps among places in Arizona, California and Mexico that Marines are ordered to avoid.
Marine Corps Installations West released the places for Marines on liberty to avoid in Arizona, California and Mexico Sept. 8, including one in Yuma.
Sgt. Rocky Smith, spokesman for the MCAS base, could not comment on the quarterly report as to why it was off limits, saying it was an MCI West matter. The Sun was redirected to MCI West at Camp Pendleton, Calif., which could not be reached for comment.
Capt. Eben Bratcher of the Yuma County Sheriff's Office said that the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers used to be more of a family hangout, but over the years it has become more of a center for gang activity.
"It started out with littering ... the littering is out of control. As the area went downhill, the wrong kind of groups started to come in and it has now become more of a gang hangout," Bratcher said.
"We've responded to fights over the last few years. It's not a family hangout anymore."
Marines and sailors are banned within a one-mile radius of the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers in Yuma from sunrise to sunset.
The MCI West quarterly report listed seven areas as off-limits completely, two during specific times on specific days and two from sunset to sunrise all week long in San Diego, as well as three areas in Tijuana, Baja Calif., to stay away from.
Earlier this year, Ron's Place was declared off limits to Yuma-based Marines by the MCAS Commander Col. Ben Hancock in the wake of a stabbing of a Marine in the bar's parking lot. The restriction was lifted after the bar demonstrated to the base that it was safe and would take additional steps to protect customers.
All Marines and sailors approved to travel to Mexico must also carry their special request chits, signed by their chain of command, on them while in the country.
---
Sun staff writer Stephanie Sanchez and Lance Cpl. M. Daniel Sanchez of Desert Warrior, the newspaper of the Marine Corps Air Station, contributed to this report.
Ellie
FROM STAFF AND DESERT WARRIOR REPORTS
The confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers has been designated by the Marine Corps among places in Arizona, California and Mexico that Marines are ordered to avoid.
Marine Corps Installations West released the places for Marines on liberty to avoid in Arizona, California and Mexico Sept. 8, including one in Yuma.
Sgt. Rocky Smith, spokesman for the MCAS base, could not comment on the quarterly report as to why it was off limits, saying it was an MCI West matter. The Sun was redirected to MCI West at Camp Pendleton, Calif., which could not be reached for comment.
Capt. Eben Bratcher of the Yuma County Sheriff's Office said that the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers used to be more of a family hangout, but over the years it has become more of a center for gang activity.
"It started out with littering ... the littering is out of control. As the area went downhill, the wrong kind of groups started to come in and it has now become more of a gang hangout," Bratcher said.
"We've responded to fights over the last few years. It's not a family hangout anymore."
Marines and sailors are banned within a one-mile radius of the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers in Yuma from sunrise to sunset.
The MCI West quarterly report listed seven areas as off-limits completely, two during specific times on specific days and two from sunset to sunrise all week long in San Diego, as well as three areas in Tijuana, Baja Calif., to stay away from.
Earlier this year, Ron's Place was declared off limits to Yuma-based Marines by the MCAS Commander Col. Ben Hancock in the wake of a stabbing of a Marine in the bar's parking lot. The restriction was lifted after the bar demonstrated to the base that it was safe and would take additional steps to protect customers.
All Marines and sailors approved to travel to Mexico must also carry their special request chits, signed by their chain of command, on them while in the country.
---
Sun staff writer Stephanie Sanchez and Lance Cpl. M. Daniel Sanchez of Desert Warrior, the newspaper of the Marine Corps Air Station, contributed to this report.
Ellie