Tombstone is the new home of one of southern Arizona’s largest civilian defense groups, the Cochise County Militia. 

“We act as the eyes and the ears of law enforcement,” said Bill Davis, director and founder of the CCM

Established in 2001 as the Cochise Borders Defense Corps, the organization moved its base from Benson to a Tombstone RV park in June because of its proximity to border hot spots.

The rough desert landscape of border areas in southern Arizona has long been a vital haven for drug smugglers and illegal border crossers.  The violent explosion of cartel wars, expanding poverty and political persecution in Mexico contribute to illegal activities on the border as the United States government continues its struggle to stop the flow of human traffic and contraband.

Davis, a veteran of two tours in Vietnam, seeks to fill in the security gaps left by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which he believes is doing a good job given its resources.      

Utilizing Using motion sensors that Davis and his compatriots legally place on public and private lands, the CCM monitors and tracks groups of illegal immigrants and drug traffickers, relaying the information to the Border Patrol, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and other local officials said Davis.

CCM members are instructed by Davis to keep a safe distance from groups of illegal border crossers and smugglers and phone in the authorities to make arrests and shake downs.  Wearing military style gear and communication devices, CCM members’’s greatest effect is their ability to break the wills of crossers and smugglers, according to Davis.  He says the combination of observant fatigue-clad militiamen and the punishment of the desert force many to give up their pursuit northward.

“Most of the time they will just quit,” said DavisDavis said.  “They see these guys with M4 rifles’s, full camo and face paint and they just sit. They’re not looking for trouble;, they’re looking for work.”

Although often heavily armed, Davis insists maintains members of the militia are not vigilantes or paramilitary troops, insisting they are committed to the militia’s motto, “doing the job our government refuses to do.”

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Jose Gonzales from the Tucson Point of Entry praised increased civilian help but also warned against taking things to far.

“We encourage people to help by calling but we do not want them to be put in danger.  We really do not want anybody taking the law into their own hands.”

The Cochise County Militiamilitia, although new in Tombstone, claims says it has to have well-established connections with law enforcement around the county and hopes to found similar relations with Tombstone officials. 

Paul Main of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Narcotics Investigations unit based in Sierra Vista recalls Davis’ notifying the office’s intelligence officer about the militia’s operations but says he has never met any CCM member in personmember of the militia.

Chief Deputy Rod Rothrock of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office echoed the same tentative knowledge of the CCM.  “Mr. Davis’ group has advertised that they do things at the border, but we haven’t seen anything.”  He added, “We’ve never received complaints about them.”

Tombstone’s Marshal Merlin Jay Smith says that he has yet to meet Davis, although he did receive information through the mail announcing the CCM’s militia’s new base in Tombstone.  Smith confirmed that Tombstone does have problems with illegal human trafficking, saying that “two or three groups a day” are detained by the Marshal’s Office and handed over to the CBPU.S. Customs and Border Protection unless they are caught committing a crime other than illegal entry, in which case they are booked. 

Of the Cochise County Militia, Smith said, “I don’t foresee we’ll be soliciting any kind of help, but if there is a group that has some information or needs our help, we’re there.”

The stigma of racism and vigilantism has been associated with similar organizations in the region.  Davis maintains thatsaid his militia does not accept racists or paramilitary “wannabees.”

“We’re not a racist group,” said DavisDavis said.  “We’re the eyes and ears for the Border Patrol.”

Although he insists the CCM is not a racist group, the militia’s website Web site does show a map of the United States portraying certain states by stereotypes.  For instance, California is labeled “Gays,” Nevada “Whores & Casinos,” a block of Southern states “KKK,” Texas “Mexico,” and Arizona “Rattlesnakes and sand.” 

Most of the claimed alleged 8,000 all volunteer members-at-large are active and retired military personnel, law enforcement officials and survival specialists,  says DavisDavis says.  Of these 8,000 members, 384 are considered “local,” meaning they live near the group’s base.  Davis says some members have come to work with the CCM militia from as far as Nova Scotia, Canada and Poland.

The Cochise County Militia is not the only border watch group in the county and not the first to find a home in Tombstone. Chris Simcox and his Minutemen project Civil Defense Corps once called Tombstone home, before he moved himself and his operation to Phoenix in 2005.   Other organizations include the American Border Patrol and the Patriot’s Border Alliance.  Despite the variety of groups, Davis said he considers his group to be the most effective and safest in the region and hopes to move away from the vigilante image cultivated by Simcox in his stint in Tombstone.

The CCM is a totally self-sustaining non-profit organization, with all funds coming from unsolicited donations and Davis’ Social Security check, he said..   Davis points to this form of funding and the dedication of volunteers as a factor separating his group from others who generate funds through public speaking tours and other publicity stunts.

“Basically, we’re all for the same thing, but some are looking for an income while we’re self-sustaining.”

     Despite the existence of supporting documents, the CCM considers itself effective.  Davis boasts that the group holds a perfect safety record since its formation almost nine years ago. Between the months of October and December of 2007, the CCM allegesclaims to have assisted in the detention of 1,049 border crossers and drug mulessmugglers.

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Esmeralda Marroquin of Tucson Point of Entry explained that while the Cochise County Militia may claim such numbers, it is impossible for the authorities to verify them.  “We do not have any documented relationship or contract with any group.” She added that “iIf someone calls us with information about illegal activity, they are calling in the capacity of a concerned citizen, regardless if they are a border group or not.”

A recently released Census Bureau report shows that the number of illegal immigrants successfully entering the United States in 2007 dropped dramatically to 500,000 from 1.8 million just a year earlier.  This may coincide with recent economic problems in the states and new legislation that punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Davis is organizing Operation Hansel & Gretel, a large mission to take place this month that is designed to topple cartel “spotters.”  Davis claims saysthat well-paid and supplied spotters operate atop the hills that dot the southern desert, coordinating movements of both human and narcotic traffickers with the help of high-powered telescopes and sophisticated communication equipment.  The CCM plans to utilize use 10 ten man teams ofman long-range reconnaissance patrols or LRRP’s to identify and assist in the capture of the spotters.   These LRRP’s are to set outpatrol for up to 14 days, covering 160 square miles southeast of Tombstone.  Davis says his volunteers will scour the hillsides for spotters and smugglers, while relaying information to authorities and video taping the operation.

Davis maintains that his group has not come to Tombstone to cause problems and act like vigilantes.  “We’re here to abide by the rules,” said Davishe said.   “We’re a glorified neighborhood watch for the Border Patrol and the citizens of the area.”