Miles of desolate ranchland separates one small community from another.
To outsiders, these quiet communities may look like the perfect place to raise a family, but to those who live in rural Starr County it is a nightmare.
Just across the Rio Grande--mere feet from where many of these people call home there is a way going on--a war that sometimes touches U.S. soil.
'Jose' is one of those people who lives in rural Starr County.
He said, as the violence escalates in Mexico so does his fears.
"It's very dangerous and it is very scary."
“Jose” refused to show his face---he said that would be too risky.
"A lot of people cross over and they are armed with weapons and we are scared," Jose said.
Jose is not alone.
A woman, we will call 'Lupita' agreed.
"Yes it's ugly.
We get scared when we hear that they (cartel members) crossover.
It's scary to always here the helicopters flying back and forth.
We're just not safe."
Most of the people Action 4 News spoke with had a violent story to tell---those stories usually had ties to the cartels.
"My father-in-laws car was shot at when the violence first started," 'Lupita' said.
It is disturbing way to live, but what is worse, is that most of these people cannot move on.
"I have no other options. This is home," 'Jose' said.
"I don't have anywhere else to go.
Trust me, if we did we would leave," 'Lupita' said.
While resident continue to live in a state of fear--law enforcement do what they can do get a handle on the violence that plagues Starr County.
"It's definitely a different ballgame now," Starr County Sheriff Deputy Erasmo Rios said.
These men and women have to be prepared for anything----and trust no one.
Their job is not easy, but for those living in Starr County, those deputies are their only hope.
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