Posted on 06/01/2006 9:35:42 PM PDT by demlosers
SAN ANTONIO, Texasm(AP) -- Texas citizens and law enforcement officials will be able to monitor video footage of some of the most isolated and dangerous stretches of the Texas-Mexico border under a border security plan announced Thursday by Gov. Rick Perry.
"With the voluntary participation of private land owners, the state will begin posting hundreds of surveillance cameras along criminal hotspots and common routes used to enter this country," Perry said. The effort is part of a border security initiative that Perry launched Thursday, saying the state must step up efforts in response to inactivity by the federal government.
The video, which will include night vision, will be available to state, local and federal authorities and will be posted on the Internet in real time, Perry said.
"When citizens witness a crime taking place, they will be able to call an 800-number that will be routed to the appropriate law enforcement agency," he said.
"I look at this as not different from the neighborhood watches we have had in our communities for years and years," Perry said.
He said the cameras would be placed in the "very, very far reaches where it's hard to get to, where there are very few roads in" but where illegal drug activity and immigrant trafficking occur.
The governor also said he'll allocate $20 million in this two-year budget cycle to continue Operation Rio Grande, an ongoing border security plan. That money will pay for officer overtime and equipment such as body armor, four-wheel drive vehicles and night-vision goggles.
In addition, Perry said he'll ask the Texas Legislature next year to authorize $100 million more to continue the operation.
"Enforcing the border is the federal governments responsibility, but Texas will not wait for them to act," Perry said. "A stronger border is what the American people want and it's what our security demands and it's what Texas is going to deliver."
The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that Texas would receive a 30 percent cut in counterterrorism funding.
"We can say to the federal government 'please give us our fair share,' but we're not going to sit here on our hands while we have a border and citizens' safety at stake and not do everything we can to address this issue," he said.
Border sheriffs and the U.S. Border Patrol will lead the beefed up efforts on the border, he said.
Also Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Charles Rodriguez, adjutant general of the Texas Military Forces, said he expects National Guard troops to be on the border this month. The troops represent the launch of President Bush's plan to dispatch up to 6,000 National Guard members to states bordering Mexico to support the Border Patrol and help stem the flow of illegal immigrants across the border.
"The agreement between the governors and the Department of Defense is being final drafted right now," Rodriguez said. "It'll perhaps be this week or at the latest early next week.
"We're looking for activity very slowly beginning in June and, depending on how quickly it can get coordinated and finalized, certainly by July," he said.
Perry continues to bury Carole whatever-her-name-is-this-week and Don Imus' former drinkin' buddy, Kinky Friedman.
"When citizens witness a crime taking place, they will be able to call an 800-number that will be routed to the appropriate law enforcement agency,"
Yea, and the first thing you'll here is "Push one for Spanish".
LoL!
Neighborhood watches were, and still are, a waste. If the local police aren't interested in what is happening, no action wil be taken.
The video, which will include night vision, will be available to state, local and federal authorities and will be posted on the Internet in real time, Perry said.
AND who is going to monitor these web pages 24/7 (in real time?)
Perry is an idiot!
On the contrary, he is running for re-election.
What are Ma Strayhorn's and the Kinkster's alternatives?
Article: He [Perry] said the cameras would be placed in the "very, very far reaches where it's hard to get to
ref: post #6, post #8---Perry is still an idiot!
How about webcams in the State Capitol so we can keep a (probably vain) watch for signs of intelligent life?
That's my point. The cameras are out in the boonies. What will they do to protect them from becoming target practice, etc?
so we can watch people come over the border?... for what purpose?
Anyone try finding out what the Govenor's position is on illegal immigration? Texas IS a border state, illegal immigration IS a critical issue, and the Govenor IS up for re-election. One would assume he HAS an opinion. After searching his website and finding nothing, I called. His office reports that the Govenor has NO opinion on illegal immigration, NO opinion on the House Bill, and NO opinion on the Senate Bill.
"Anyone try finding out what the Govenor's position is on illegal immigration? Texas IS a border state, illegal immigration IS a critical issue, and the Govenor IS up for re-election. One would assume he HAS an opinion. After searching his website and finding nothing, I called. His office reports that the Govenor has NO opinion on illegal immigration, NO opinion on the House Bill, and NO opinion on the Senate Bill."
Wow! I don't know what Rick Perry's position is, but I know that he signed a bill granting in-state college tuition to illegals, so I can guess.
Cameras, eh?
That will work pretty well until someone shoots the camera.
Considering he's up for re-election against folks who have no chance of winning he doesn't need to have an opinion. Just play the political game of not ruffling feathers if you don't have to. I just wonder why nothing has been done at all until now? Of course, as we've read over and over cameras alone have no impact without enforcement.
It just boils down to the fact that they think we are all idiots.
What IS needed is a fence/wall to stop the bleeding of illegal lawbreakers from coming into this country. *Period*
Sink,
Did you that Dan Patrick of KSEV 700AM just bought another radio station. This one in Dallas/Ft. Worth it is either 1160 or 1170 I forget which. They will start broadcasting in August. This with his other station he will be able to get his grassroots conservative message out to about 60% of the republican primary voters in TX. Thought you woul like to know.
Got shot down, overwhelmingly. Apparently, that group of angry Republicans in Houston is isolated. They sure don't have much backing at the state convention.
Nobody is going to listen to another talk radio station in Dallas. We've got 820, 570 and 660; they have all the big name syndicated hosts. 1080 is all local talent, and it's limping along.
Patrick won't have much of an audience, especially leading up to November.
We shall see.
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