DEMING, N.M. -- The Luna County Sheriff's Department is hoping $1.2 million dollars will be enough money in the next three years to continue doing what it has been: keeping border violence from spilling into New Mexico.

Teenagers shouldn't have to worry why people are being killed in Mexico, but for this 14-year-old it is a big concern.

”There is no law enforcement in Palomas right now. There are no cops,” said 14-year-old Abel Ponce.

He said he frequently crosses the border with his family. They hear and fear the stories that come from the South.

“There are a lot of killings going on. I believe it's mostly the Mexican Mafia,” said Ponce.

Operation Stone Garden, a funding program, gives border communities extra security, so they don't have to fear for their lives along the border in the U.S.

The funding has paid for vehicles and the staff to drive them on patrol.

“It pays for fuel costs. It pays for some of the maintenance costs for vehicles and equipment,” said Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos.

Cobos said the money helped the department to net a marijuana stash left in the desert Sunday. It amounted to 200 pounds of pot, worth more than $160,000.

He said with out the funding, “I would have officers operating in areas where there would possibly deal with drug trafficking organizations. They would be out-gunned and out-manned,” said Cobos.

Those in the areas north of the killings say they are relieved.

“It's been quieter. It's not like I guess it was before," said Deming resident Alberto Gamboa.

“The town is a pretty safe town. There is stuff that happens, yes, but I feel safe,” said Deming resident Rose Dominguez.

The $1.2 million is not a sure thing, but the sheriff hopes to get some notice of the funding by at least October.