Prevent Suicides, Not Drug Runners

We can't build even a fraction of the border fence that was authorized by Congress three years ago to prevent drug runners and human traffickers from plying their trade from Mexico.

But we can build "suicide fences" in Akron, Ohio.

One man jumped to his death off the All-America Bridge this year.

Two more used the Akron bridge — more commonly known as the Y-Bridge — to commit suicide in 2008.

Akron hopes to curtail future deaths on what has been dubbed ''Suicide Bridge'' by installing a fence.

The controversial fencing — some have been pushing for it, while others think it's a waste of money — was among the local projects the state approved Thursday for federal stimulus funds.

''It just makes a safer Akron for everybody,'' said Robert Conley, who has been urging the fencing since his son, Kevin, jumped off the bridge to his death in 2006.

I don't have a problem with suicide fencing, per se, although I don't see how this is a federal priority. State and local governments should be on top of that one.

But border security is one of the constitutional requirements of the federal government. Why isn't this a priority?