O’Fence-sive

Seems reasonable enough: secure your borders against undocumented aliens using technology. We’re talking the one with Mexico and not Canada, although frankly, if I were a terrorist, Canada would be my choice of entry. Canadians are much more generous with undocumented “visitors,” often letting them reside temporarily in Canada while their cases are checked…. And there is vastly more open space and border crossing opportunities over a vastly longer border. No, I’m talking about the proposed 2,000 mile virtual fence (we already have 650 miles of real fences) that we were supposed to have by 2011 on our southern flank… moved to 2014 because of “glitches.”

Well, those “glitches” appear to be making that border technology virtually unworkable. The original project was supposed to cost $6.7 billion. We’ve played with about $672 million to experiment with technologies, set up sample “in the field” virtual barriers, but the program is working so badly, that President Obama is proposing slashing $189 million from the near-term budget, a pressure which is multiplied by a desire to pare down our deficit and not waste money on clearly ineffective programs. Boeing was supposed to turn over a 23 mile test sample to the feds in January, but it isn’t working well enough for that transition. Those damned video cameras aren’t doing what they were supposed to do.

What’s the problem? Well, first, there are lots of “problems,” like the fact that the system supposed that Border Patrol agents would always be able to have laptops connected to the home base… a pretty basic assumption if you live in a 3G big city, but hardly the case in the vast empty tracks of desert land in the border region. Here are some more issues as reported in the February 10^th Washington Post: “The system was supposed to let a small number of dispatchers watch the border on a computer monitor, zoom in with cameras to see people crossing, and decide whether to send Border Patrol agents to the scene. Although there are sensors, cameras and radar at many points along the border, they are not connected to cover large expanses.

“Among other things, the radar system had trouble distinguishing between vegetation and people when it was windy. Also, the satellite communication system took too long to relay information in the field to a command center. By the time an operator moved a camera to take a closer look at a spot, whatever had raised suspicion was gone.”

The government reaction: “In ordering a reassessment of the project on Jan. 8, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the delays were unacceptable and that the government needs to consider more efficient and economical options. She did not elaborate. ‘Americans need border security now -- not 10 years down the road,’ Napolitano said.”The Post.

Did I mention the fence over the Otay Mountain? Just east of San Diego… a 15-18 foot high massive steel barricade, 3.6 miles long, that cost a measly $57.7 million? It was just finished this fall, a project that had its inception during the George W. Bush administration. All the environmental considerations were waived (and the environmental cost was massive). The February 15^th Los Angeles Times: “At about $16 million a mile, the Otay Mountain barrier cost about four times as much as similar border fencing built during this expansion, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.”

Yes, it’s the most expensive piece of fencing on the U.S.-Mexican border, and traffic through the area has definitely slowed… Of course the lack of jobs in the U.S. might have something to do with the slowdown. The LA Times: “When the economy improves, the mountain will once again draw immigrants, fence or no fence, said Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee in San Diego…. ‘It seems to me, if someone is able to climb the mountains in the Otay Wilderness, a 15-foot wall will not make a difference,’ he said.” Or maybe they’ll just cross down the road a piece. Your tax dollars at work.

I’m Peter Dekom, and I thought you might like to know.