Pubdate: Sat, 30 Nov 2002
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Tracy Holmes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

BUGS PLAGUING VIDEO BORDER SURVEILLANCE

A remote fibre-optic camera system keeping tabs on the United States-Canada 
border since March is troubled by a raft of glitches. U.S. Border Patrol 
Deputy Chief John Bates said Wednesday staff daily report problems with the 
monitoring system. While he wouldn't give up specifics, issues reportedly 
include malfunctioning focus in higher temperatures and problems with the 
fibre-optics.

"There still are bugs right now," Bates said.

"The message I'm getting from headquarters is the issues we're having are 
going to get addressed. We're just sitting back and waiting for that to 
happen."

The 32 pairs of cameras, strategically placed on 18-metre poles along 70 km 
of border between Blaine and the Columbia Valley, were the product of two 
years' work to strengthen border enforcement. A key focus was illegal 
aliens and B.C.-grown marijuana.

Bates said since coming on line, the cameras have made an impact.

"It's been great--we caught 107 illegal entrants; there were five loads of 
marijuana that we apprehended, valued about $800,000 U.S.; there were four 
smugglers we arrested," Bates said.

"It's all been good stuff."

Despite technical glitches, Bates is working to expand the system. The plan 
is still "very, very preliminary," he said. "Nothing's in the works yet."

One challenge bigger than technical tweaking, Bates said, is a lack of staff.

While the aim is for three people full-time, each eight-hour shift now is 
manned by one. In addition to monitoring cameras for activity, the 
individual dispatches three local police departments, provide back-up for 
911 calls, and dispatch border agents to problem areas. "It's a very 
difficult job," Bates said.

He attributed successes of the surveillance system so far largely to that 
staff.

There's also a need for more patrol agents. An additional 40 during summer 
upped Bates' contingent to 97. He's hopeful Blaine sector is slated for at 
least a few of the 285 agents promised for the northern border next year.

The border patrol works with U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, and Drug 
Enforcement Agency, the RCMP and Canada Customs.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager