Posted on 03/14/2008 11:33:19 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
PALOMINAS — Glenn Spencer sat in front of a set of computer screens Wednesday morning in his office here and monitored activity along a nine-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Using his mouse, he controlled the pan, the tilt, the zoom and the contrast of a thermal camera.
“This is the San Pedro River there,” he said, pointing to a screen. “When you look down there at night with this camera system, if there was a person down there, they would stand out like a Christmas tree light at five miles away.”
Spencer, president of American Border Patrol, a non-governmental organization, has long used this high-tech, sophisticated camera equipment to look for illegal immigrants.
But now he is seeking volunteers to help out.
“As we have learned over the years, it’s great if you have a camera down there, but all we would do is sit around and watch it. People may pop up every hour or every three or four hours,” he said, adding, “The problem is we have to stay up all night to see anything. It’s taking all of our time.”
So American Border Patrol developed software that lets people control the cameras via the Internet. The group is accepting applications from members of the general public who want to watch out for human smugglers and drug smugglers during 30-minute intervals. If someone sees something, the person would contact American Border Patrol and that group would in turn report it to U.S. Border Patrol officials.
The thermal camera works optimally during nighttime, but it also can be used during daylight hours. Besides it, there are four other cameras in the network that can be used during daytime or semi-night conditions. Together, the five cameras cost more than $100,000.
Mike Christie, director of operations for American Border Patrol, said the camera network “is usable now and will only get better in the future.”
“Ultimately, what we would like to see is a series of thermal cameras along with daylight cameras mounted on masts or towers all along the border that can be controlled over the Internet by volunteers,” he said. “It is certainly doable, it’s just a matter of getting funding.”
For information on the American Border Patrol, visit www.americanborderpatrol.com.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
Right, but the idea is that similar technology should be able to handle motion detection and automated tracking and zoom even on thermal imaging long-range high-end supercameras. An image is an image is an image no matter what’s capturing it, after all.
Yea, and then what?
I’m sure those cameras need a ready and reliable power feed. That’s kinda hard to come by along about 95% of the Arizona/Mexico border.
I’m not sure what Glen’s using for power, but commercial power is scarce.
Then the Border Patrol apprehends them and ships their sorry butts back across the border. This part of Cochise County is arguably the busiest crossing point between San Diego and Brownsville; as well as the area with the most apprehensions.
And they're down, now. Two years ago, they were catching between five and ten thousand illegals per 24-hour shift. I don't know the current numbers...
Ping!
Well, that's good to know. According to the article, Glen has been using these cameras for years.
American Border Patrol is a 501(c)3 organization. You can get a tax deduction for donating better cameras to them than what he has right now.
More than if you don’t call them.
American Border Patrol president Glenn Spencer stands next
to solar panels that power the remote Internet-controlled
camera located beyond his left shoulder Wednesday. The
camera is approximately 50 feet from the U.S.-Mexico border.
(Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Correct. It doesn’t take millions of dollars, and Boeing to build a satisfactory camera system.
Glenn is no slouch, I should have known he’d have a setup like that.
I believe we get 300 days or more of sunshine each year, more than enough to keep those panels in business.
Thanks, HiJinx, will check it out further. At least we’d get an idea of the true numbers coming across, because it’s surely greater than the government will admit to.
Good. Thanks.
I’m not sure what Glen’s using for power, but commercial power is scarce.
They're now using solar powered electrical equipment for railroad train control systems and safety equipment in rural locations where running power lines is cost-prohibitive or otherwise impractical, as with some sections of the Central Oregon and Pacific.
It might require additional power cells or greater battery storage for the remote TV equipment, but it's certain;y do-able, not even a new equipment generation away.
Three miles south of the last signal we arrive at the first dragging equipment detector in the canyon. This one is solar powered as evidenced by the collector array mounted near the case. The "paddles" are visible between and on either side of the rails in the right side of this picture.
Inside the equipment case are the batteries at the bottom and a few electrical components above them. The voice of the "SP Lady" which announces "No Defects, no defects" or "Engineer, Stop Your Train" is housed in the blue box. Part of Rick's inspection routine is to electrically shunt the rails and kick the paddles to activate the "SP Lady". He also checks battery electrolyte levels and voltages and records it on cards seen here slightly below and to the left of the blue box. On top of the case is a Sinclair antenna to broadcast the SP Lady to train crews.
The addition of some Ground-Launched Hellfire or LOSAT missile launchers would be a nice touch.
Turns out that’s exactly what he’s using. Shoulda know, Glenn is no slouch where technology is concerned.
That’s the kind of post I was hoping to read here! I wish Americans would just shut their pie holes and support citizens who are at least walking the walk.
And this includes FReepers, who sit here posting “better ways” for things to be done, rather than choosing to jump into the trenches and getting their hands dirty.
Why not support these men who are doing more than our gov’t — and they are doing it faster, with their own funding and all they are asking for is for our help.
Like AuntB said, “At least we’d get an idea of the true numbers coming across, because it’s surely greater than the government will admit to.”
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