NCJ Number
115881
Journal
Security Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 34-36
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In dealing with drug smugglers and criminal gangs, as well as illegal aliens seeking freedom and a job, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has adopted new security equipment and business techniques to police the United States border.
Abstract
First established in 1924, the INS border patrol is responsible for more than 8,000 miles of international land and water boundaries. At the Wanton, Vt., border patrol sector, 1 of 21, there are a command and control center, communications facilities, technical help, analysis agents, and support personnel, as well as single-agent patrol vehicles. Sophisticated equipment makes both security and business sense. It allows the patrol to leverage limited personnel resources and permits monitoring of the border without unnecessary inconveniences to residents and visitors. The heart of Swanton's electronic border intrusion system is a 50-foot wide slash through the woods concealing magnetic, seismic, and passive infrared sensors. There are also closed-circuit television cameras along roads in often breached areas, and roads also are monitored by tone sensors. Through computerized path analysis and slow scan pictures it is possible to determine intrusions based on such variables as time direction, and monitor sightings. Other sophisticated equipment includes walkie-talkies and mobile radios, an airphone intercom, keypad access control, and a generator and uninterruptible power supply. Photographs.