Fort Hancock - Several dozen people in Fort Hancock have been assured the U.S. Border Patrol takes border violence seriously.

A community forum on border violence was held last night at Benito Martinez Elementary School.

Border agents tried to calm the fears of those living near the border.

As we have reported, drug cartels have systematically forced people out of little towns across the river from Fort Hancock...

"I think it's important to have these meetings cause otherwise it's hard to know where people stand. How do you know where the border patrol stands? How do you know where your local law enforcement stands?"

"We are working in a partnership to better our community, to keep our community safe and just to let them know that we are here to serve them in any situation that might arise."

Most of the people who attended the meeting said their biggest concern was knowing how to get in touch with law enforcement if drug cartels begin to carry out hits north of the border.