Pubdate: Sat, 06 Apr 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

CAMERAS COMBAT CRIMINALS: BORDER PATROL ACTIVATES WORLD-CLASS SURVEILLANCE 
TECHNOLOGY

The Goal: A Cap On Illegal Aliens And Drug Smugglers.

The Means: 32 Pairs Of Electronic Eyes.

A two-year bid to strengthen enforcement along the United States-Canada 
boundary comes to fruition this week, as U.S. Border Patrol agents flip the 
switch on the last of 64 fibre-optic cameras set up to keep tabs on 70.8 
kilometres (44 miles) of border.

Stretching from Blaine to the Columbia Valley (just east of Sumas), the $5 
million USD project is the first such fibre optic system along the northern 
border, and likely the nation.

The full contingent is expected on-line by Friday.

"It's going to be a big tool," USBP Deputy Chief John Bates said Monday. 
"The agents are very excited about it. I consider it a success." Two 
cameras are mounted on each of 32, strategically placed, 18-metre (60-foot) 
poles. One is for daytime surveillance; the other an infrared model to 
catch night-time activity.

Each can pan almost 360 degrees. Depending on terrain, they can zoom in up 
to 4.8 kilometres (three miles)-close enough to snap a picture of 
suspicious individuals or vehicles.

"Our main issues are two-illegal aliens utilizing Canada as a third 
country...(and) the B.C. bud," Bates said.

"Historically, this area has had the most traffic of any sectors along the 
northern border."

Before the cameras, the patrol relied mainly on sensors placed along the 
border to alert them to illegal activity.

Unfortunately, while the sensors trip for those trying to sneak across 
undetected, they also trip for things like wildlife and conditions such as 
a creek overflowing.

A major issue was agents investigating didn't know which they would encounter.

"They're sent in blind without a camera," Bates said. "(The sensors are) 
like a doorbell-you don't know who's at the door, you just know somebody rang."

Now, Law Enforcement Communications Assistants who monitor the cameras can 
provide agents such details as who or what tripped the sensor, if they're 
armed, what they look like, and which way they're headed.

They can even run two different camera angles on the same location; the 
hope is to eventually transmit live pictures of suspects to on-site agents. 
Bates said if the cameras prove their worth, he'll push to install them 
right out to the Cascades.

So far, they've stopped marijuana smugglers, and both north and southbound 
aliens, as recently as last weekend. That's when a quick call from USBP 
headquarters to RCMP led to the arrest of three border jumpers.

Two weeks ago, LECA Greg Faubion watched seven illegal aliens jump the 
border. Not long after dispatching USBP agents, he watched the seven turn 
tail northbound.

Another sign of success in efforts to seal the Blaine sector border comes 
in hearing about problems cropping up elsewhere.

"We've seen some local marijuana smugglers arrested on the other side of 
the mountain, so we know that we're pushing them," Bates said.

"That means somebody is deciding it's tough to enter here."

Bates said a key element in tackling the problem is co-operation with 
Canadian officials. In addition to U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, and the 
Drug Enforcement Agency, the patrol works with RCMP and Canada Customs and 
Immigration on such efforts as Integrated Border Enforcement Teams. "It's 
truly a partnership," he said.

"The more we work together, the better. This border is two-way and anybody 
who doesn't think that way is missing the boat."

Bates said while terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 sped up the camera 
installation process, plans were in place prior to have them up and running 
this year.

He's also looking forward to this summer, when 40 of 245 agents 
transferring permanently to the northern border from its southern 
counterpart are coming to the Blaine sector. The numbers will top Bates' 
contingent up to 97 agents, and further aid the patrol in curbing criminal 
activities.
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