Posted on 06/06/2004 7:37:42 PM PDT by NewRomeTacitus
Concentrated mostly along a 220-mile western stretch of border that includes an Indian reservation, a wildlife refuges and a military range, the drones are only the latest hardware in the patrol's technological toolbox - which includes tower-mounted cameras, ground sensors, night-vision goggles and portable lifts that let agents view down lines of highway traffic. The hope is the drones can help stem a surge in illegal immigration that a buildup of border agents hasn't stopped.
The remotely piloted Hermes 450 craft, which can stay aloft for 20 hours at a time will carry cameras with thermal and night vision capabilities that can detect movement 15 miles away. The aircraft will be able to read a license plate, view a vehicle's occupants, even detect weapons.
Tucson attorney Isabel Garcia, co-chairwoman of the human rights organization Derechos Humanos, said their use will be another step toward fully militarizing the border and away from the law barring use of the military to enforce civil law.
"Everything they have done so far has created chaos, instability, death and insecurity rather than security," Garcia said.
Related posts/articles: "Border Patrol adding drones" (5-10-04)."Israel Invents Tiny Pilot-Less Drones"
Guess that answers that question...
GOOD!!! money well spent
Hell, any 9 year-old Boy Scout could go down to the Arizona border and find hundreds if not thousands of illegal migrants crossing every single day.
But who would listen?
My bet is that the UAVs and most of the helicopter assets will be used in the bad desert west of Nogales.
For "humanitarian" missions.
Moderatorss, please put up a readily found list of hostiles so I and others may stop wasting our time and efforts. Here ya go ^.
FWIW, http://www.signonsandiego.com is not on the "must excerpt" list.
If the UAVs are highly effective, they will spend their time in the hanger. It's not about being effective, it's about political cover. If they wanted to close the border, they could do it anytime by revoking the "Keystone Kops" meant-to-fail rules of engagement, and instituting serious wartime ROE.
"If the UAVs are highly effective, they will spend their time in the hanger. It's not about being effective, it's about political cover. If they wanted to close the border, they could do it anytime by revoking the "Keystone Kops" meant-to-fail rules of engagement, and instituting serious wartime ROE."
I tend to agree. We could have already "fixed" this invasion years ago - this is political CYA and eyewash for the sheeples.
Include please.
You guys have noticed the "credibility gap" concerning border enforcement. Wind up your earthly affairs for the sake of your loved ones. The men from the unnamed agency will be there shortly and they do not appreciate futile arguments and struggling that slows down their progress. If possible remain stationary in a fully tiled area with a nearby floor drain. The new whisper-craft should spare your family and neighbors from undue alarm.
For example, the SD county BP had a tracking dog program which was phenomenal. Illegals hiding in canyons in heavy cover were easily found by the dogs, who "pointed" and led to the detention of huge numbers of border jumpers. Great huh?
Too great. The illegal advocates cried and whined about how terrifying and humiliating it was, to be found by dogs. The tracking dogs were taken off this duty they were trained for, and put on border crossing point drug sniffing duty, which they were NOT trained for.
This is why I say the UAVs will be shelved, if they are effective.
1,000 patrol dogs, highly trained (with the advantage of protecting the arresting BP agent) = $500,000 per year (very generous estimate).
1 Hermes Drone, full of bugs and subject to loss and high maintence costs = $2,000,000 each.
Cost of either in lost profits from using cheap illegal labor to big U.S. business if used effectively and without political scavenging = HUNDREDS OF MILLION$.
Do the math.
LMAO, why didn't I think of that. You're right on the money IMO.
Thank you very much! Why the site doesn't make this obvious puzzles me, as doing so would seemingly head off future antagonism and keep us in good graces with the fence-sitters. It is obvious that this issue will be taken up soon, but I don't wish to have role in it (I've had my own raking).
"Everything they have done so far has created chaos, instability, death and insecurity rather than security," Garcia said.
Somebody needs to inform Isabel Garcia that the Border Patrol is not the military and that the use of unmanned drones doesn't constitute the militarizing of the border.
Isabel Garcia is rabidly racist and anti-American. All she cares about is facilitating the entry of as many Latino illegal aliens into the US as she can, and then doing whatever she can to help them to remain here.
The cameras at your local shopping outlet never stopped shoplifting. You must have the agents on the ground or else it's just an expensive looking glass with illegals waving back as they cross the border.
I included Ms Garcia's comment to illustrate how organized and determined America's enemies are, never troubled finding ready support from our press corps. They were probably disappointed that they couldn't accuse an impartial machine of racism.
I am not in fear of a visit from anyone. If this busted up old man is hought of as an enemy, imagine what young men like Trav are considered as.
There's no reason to send someone 'out to visit' me, just turn off my phone lines and you'll never hear from me again. At least not under the name of B4Ranch. LOL
So, I'll just continue to post my thoughts about who and what agencies are making mistakes concerning their Oath of Office "to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
It's during times like this that I wish we had another Ike in the White House.
Not good enough. Needs to be able to carry a machine gun in .308 or .30-06.
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