SAINT ARMAND | The residents of Saint-Armand, forced to live with the increase in illegal crossings at the Canada-U.S. border, were so fed up that one of them had a ditch dug to block the smugglers' vehicles.
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“They tore down my fences at least five or six times before I decided to respond. When I got there, I was at the end of my strength,” explains Normand Litjens, who comes from this small community in Estrie with 1,200 inhabitants.
Normand Litjens was upset when he saw smugglers tearing down his fences and had a more than 300-meter-long ditch dug along his property to prevent illegal border crossings. Photo Martin Chevalier
This is because every time our facilities were damaged, the man's animals left his land, which in turn caused problems.
The ditch was dug at the border. Photo Martin Chevalier
Help from American neighbors
After numerous calls to various authorities to find a solution, Mr. Litjens finally reached an agreement with his American neighbor, a foundation contractor.
“He had the necessary machinery, so we dug a trench 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep over a distance of about 1,250 feet. “It has become impossible to drive through, the vehicles get stuck,” explains the man, who has even helped the police clear abandoned vehicles from his ditch in recent months.
The trench extends about 1250 feet in length. Photo Martin Chevalier
But just a few hours after our departure, another fence was destroyed by the passage of an illegal migrant vehicle. The car took the asphalt road, the only place where it is impossible to dig a ditch. The vehicle appeared to have been damaged as debris was visible on the ground.
The fence was smashed by the refugee vehicle. Photo Martin Chevalier
When our photographer passed by, car debris could be seen on the ground. Photo Martin Chevalier
Normand Litjens, who also serves as a councilor for Saint-Armand, believes that illegal border crossings have reached a peak in the past year. Since late summer, residents have noticed a stronger movement towards the USA. Statistics from the American border guard US Customs and Border Protection also confirm their impression, as there has been a significant increase in the number of interceptions in the USA in the last few months compared to the previous year.
Migrants were captured by hunter cameras in the middle of the night in Saint-Armand. “Screenshot, anonymous source”
Migrants were captured by hunter cameras in the middle of the night in Saint-Armand. “Screenshot, anonymous source”
Several other residents echoed the same sentiment during the Journal's passage. Some are even thinking about being inspired by Mr. Litjens.
“We also thought about digging a trench. “It’s not a bad idea and it solves part of the problem,” explains Mary Mcnamara, who lives just a stone’s throw from the border.
I've never seen anything like it
A retired teacher has lost count of how many people have used his property to get to the neighboring Vermont town of Highgate since Roxham Road closed a year ago. He has owned this residence since 2010 and says he has never seen anything like it.
When he woke up on February 14, there were tire tracks all over his property.
“The problem is that Google Maps shows a route on the other side of the border,” says André Labelle. But that path doesn't exist, so they search and eventually get through a field.
Many more vehicles have been abandoned in the American neighbor's fields in recent months. The most recent case stems from Super Bowl day, when Mr. Labelle noticed an Illinois-registered Toyota Sienna just a few feet from his home.
André Labelle in 2022 poses in front of the minivan left behind on his property. Photo Martin Alarie
In 2022, a smuggler's minivan will be halfway on his land at the border. After many steps, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) finally arrived a week later to tow the vehicle.
As for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is tasked with providing security at the border, citizens believe it is very difficult for them to take action given current laws and reduced numbers.
Illegal border crossings in Saint-Armand: weapons and “suspicious packages” seen by residents
Concern among citizens of Saint-Armand is growing as some residents report seeing people with weapons and “suspicious packages,” denounces the mayor.
“It is certain that we are also seeing an upturn, which is entirely consistent with the closure of Roxham Road,” notes Caroline Rosetti. Lately it seems to be mostly people going to the United States.”
Caroline Rosetti, mayor of Saint-Armand. Photo provided by the city of Saint-Armand
She says Bradley, Luke and Pelletier South streets are the most frequently used.
While the majority of passers-by appear to be harmless, other people appear to be more suspicious and may be carrying weapons and other shady packages.
In addition, a week ago the New York Post devoted its front page to the problems of illegal immigrants in the small American town of Swanton, which is very close to Saint-Armand on the other side of the border. Residents told the newspaper that they did not feel safe due to the numerous illegal crossings in the forest. Agents reportedly even suggested that border residents put a gun in their backpack.
Special meeting
Given the issue, a meeting will be held this evening to allow all partners involved in the matter to speak to each other. Citizens are given the floor to voice their concerns.
The RCMP, the SQ and a representative of the federal MP for Brome-Missisquoi, Pascale St-Onge, were scheduled to be present at this special meeting.
“The problem is that it is not our responsibility,” complains Ms. Rosetti. Citizens share information with us, we try to share it with the relevant authorities, but having everyone together in the same room might make things easier.”
Non-existent paths
Additionally, the city is trying to contact Google to have certain trails removed from the map.
“There are streets that don’t exist and appear on Google Maps. First, if it were removed, people probably wouldn't try it. But it’s not easy to contact Google,” she says.
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