Posted on 05/22/2002 8:02:27 PM PDT by TomGuy
The Associated Press
Published: May 22, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Immigration and Naturalization Service plans to use hovercraft and pepperballs, plastic containers filled with debilitating pepper, to improve border safety in the Southwest.
INS Commissioner James Ziglar planned to announce details of the border security plan Thursday during stops in Arizona and California.
Spokesman Bill Strassberger said Wednesday the program will raise vigilance and reduce dangers along the most perilous sections of the border, in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California.
The INS said the safety plan will include placing hovercraft along All-American Canal, about 150 miles east of San Diego. Dozens of illegal immigrants have drowned in recent years in the concrete-lined canal in California's Imperial Valley, a rural area where migrants cross to avoid heavier border security around San Diego.
"There's an extensive network of irrigation ditches there that includes All-American Canal. The water is very deceptive. It is fast moving. A number of people have drowned there or had to be rescued," Strassberger said.
The INS said it plans to activate rescue beacons to send out a light that can be seen for miles, which would help law enforcers rescue migrants in the desert.
More planes also will be used along the stretches of border to improve surveillance, and agents will be equipped with pepperball launchers that have been tested in San Diego, Strassberger said.
The weapons deliver marble-sized plastic balls that break on impact and release an acrid pepper dust. The dust burns the eyes and throat of a target as far as 100 feet away.
AP-ES-05-22-02 2015EDT
What?? No mudpies or snowballs?
Sounds like a spicy Marguerita Night finger food. When the illegals hear about "pepperballs" and "debilitating pepper substance" (habanero salsa?), more than ever will make the trip.
An illegal entry with snacks!
How can you take on a Mexican Army soldiers with automatic weapons with pepper substance?
Jose, Jorge, Roberto, "Please Senor INS! Please hit us with your caliente Pepperballs please. We have no seasoning for our jack rabbit tacos!"
The INS fires the Pepperballs
Jose, Jorge and Roberto respond, "Shoot us a couple of Coronas on ice to wash down your pepper balls and our tacos! Gracias amigos!"
Too dangerous and expensive...Maybe the Agents will be allowed to "egg" the illegal invaders?
Uhh... LEAD.
Exactly. Isn't it interesting how these liberal slimes insist on the use of "non-lethal" measures to deal with America's enemies but will kill or incinerate any conservative given half a chance?
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