From Baltimore Spencer: The City of Phoenix’ Newest Honor…NOT

Yes - I know the title is so 1999; but, hey, “I’ve seen better days / I’ve been the star of many plays.”

I recently came upon a news story that on its surface is shocking, but in its root: less than so because we are talking, after all, about Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun, that strange desert suburbia, and now the Capital of Human Smuggling. This news comes on the heal from last June when Phoenix become the kidnapping capital of the United States, according the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. Last year, 368 abductions were reported, compared to 117 in 2000. Victims are targeted anywhere, at any time.

Now, a recent story on FOX News talks about the number of drop-houses that are in various neighbors around the Valley - upper class, middle class, working class - you name it: immigrants crammed inside drophouses, and it could be your neighborhood. However, local authorities have reported 144 drophouses to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, compared with the 186 discovered in fiscal 2008. That’s good, but not that good. Part of the reason, sadly, is a slight drop in illegal immigration due to the lack of jobs for them because of the drop in the economy. The fact of the matter is - drophouses with up to 50 or 60 illegal immigrants - beaten, scared, harbored like rats - are there.

So - why Phoenix? The old adage: location, location, location: 150 miles from the Mexico border - centrally placed for destinations to SoCal and the Rockies. The smugglers - known as coyotes - have to deal with ICE agents and rival gangs, one to free and convict and the other to steal. They are becoming - according to reports - more sophisticated, more ruthless, more cunning in protecting their human capital.

No place is safe in America, or for the world that matter. Yet - news like this - it’s always Phoenix. Some thing draws people of such extreme to the desert. It’s like Los Angeles - more than 50% of all known serial killers have lived in Los Angeles one time in their life. Why is that? Is it really too much sun pounding down that finally breaks a person. You don’t hear about this in New Mexico - they never have these honors of distinction in terms of crime. It’s not there’s no crime, it’s that with Phoenix: it’s always a crime of extremes.

I don’t know. The world may seem upside down for some. For me, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Well. Some days.