Posted on 01/31/2006 8:42:56 AM PST by kokonut
A group called "Friends of the Border Control" have just begun their own Remote Video Surveillance (RVS) setups costing only several thousand dollars for each camera compared to what Dept of Homeland Security Inspector General, Richard Skinner, said in his testimony, Dec. 16, 2005 before a subcommittee of Homeland Security that their RVS system takes on average 20 months to complete. It was also previously reported by DHS that the cost is $800,000 per camera. Is this the typical mindset of government waste? How about a little creativity here, Richard?
FBP's costs are between $5,000 and $7,000 depending on terrain and specific equipment needed for both. What it costs for DHS for one camera, FBP can launch approximately 100-120 cameras systems for about the same cost (to install one DHS RVS camera).
(Excerpt) Read more at kokonutpundits.blogspot.com ...
Who has the ping lists?
Border Cams Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
Keep up the presure people. We will win this illegal immigration war.
Fax your butt off to your elected representatives on illegal immigration. Let them know how you feel and do it often. I do it 3 times a week whethere they like it or not. I'm sure they are tired of hearing from me:
http://www.numbersusa.com/index
Put a bounty of $100 on each illegal alien trespasser and we're good to go. Free enterprise.
BTTT
www.numbersusa.com
and FAIR (Federation for Immigration Reform) at: http://capwiz.com/fair/mail/gateway/s1066275554/
ping
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
I passed up camping in that area when they told me about the "fire-ants" (other unwelcome visitors from the south). I would not think of going anywhere without packing a side-arm. Not necessarilly on my side but easily swiveled into that position. Really have had no trouble with law officers in the West as long as it was visable. I often just pull over with my Harley and sleep where I stop off the road. Anyone unarmed who would do this is asking for a serious problem. Sometimes I pack my 30-30 carbine with me. Just the sound of that gun chambering a round will run off someone intending harm.
There are more of them...in New Mexico, here in Sierra Vista, AZ, and I think there's one in California along the border.
They're more for aerial surveillance than anything else right now, but their packages can be modified as the situation requires...
I think this "800K per camera" is actually for multiple pan/tilt/zoom cameras (night, visible, thermal), on large tower structures, plus all the infrastructure to power, control, transmit video, and harden them against vandals. Just an infrared thermal camera alone is @$60K. Comparing this to putting up fixed focal length, uncontrolled cameras on poles on private property, presumably monitored by someone nearby, isn't a fair comparison.
There is also one just north of Yuma Az.
Yes I have, when they were installing them, about 15 years ago, the word was that there was supposed to be one every 250 miles along the Border From San Diego to Brownsville, there is one North of Yuma Az. They call them Arostats, they have radar units in them, the info about them is a bit sketchy, as I understand it they use the radar to detect small planes crossing the border.
The primary aerostat mission is to provide low level radar surveillance data in support of federal agencies involved in the nation's drug interdiction program. Secondary mission is to provide North American Aerospace Defense Command with low level surveillance coverage for air sovereignty in the Florida Straights.
The average aerostat is about two times the size of the Goodyear Blimp...
The radar data of the aerostat is available to NORAD Command and the U.S. Customs Service...
The aerostat program provides low-cost, one of a kind radar coverage uniquely suited for its given mission. Notwithstanding weather, aerostat and equipment availability averages more than 98 percent system wide.
During the 1980s, the U.S. Customs Service operated a network of aerostats to help counter illegal drug trafficking. Their first site was built at High Rock, Grand Bahamas Island, in 1984. The second site was built at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. in 1986. Prior to 1992, three agencies operated the TARS network to include the USAF, U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. Congressional language in 1992 transferred management of the system to the Defense Department, with the Air Force as executive agent.
For security and safety reasons, the air space around USAF aerostat sites is restricted for a radius of at least two to three statute miles and an altitude up to 15,000 feet.
Primary Function: Low-level radar aircraft detection.
Tether Length: 25,000 feet.
Maximum Detection Range: 200 Nautical Miles.
Operational Sites: Yuma and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; Deming, N.M.; Marfa, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande City, Texas; Cudjoe Key, Fla.; and Lajas, Puerto Rico. Sites located at Morgan City, La. and Matagorda, Texas are in a cold storage configuration. Contract Management Office and logistics hub are located in Chesapeake Va.
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