Posted on 11/28/2002 3:54:14 AM PST by madfly
Chris Halsne You're paying millions more than you should for a high-tech security system along the Washington-British Columbia border that doesn't work very well. Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne reveals what the federal government wants to keep a secret. We've discovered a series of computers and cameras that are supposed to stop terrorists, drug smugglers, and other illegals from entering the US malfunction on a regular basis. What we've uncovered has grabbed the attention of both Congress and the Department of Justice. In theory, the lenses aimed at a rural stretch of the U.S.-Canadian border, create an impenetrable shield. 32 cameras that see miles in the dark aren't suppose to miss any movement. However, an exclusive six-month KIRO Team 7 Investigation discovered massive deficiencies in the system. "It's a threat to national security if this information isn't made available," says Retired Border Patrol Chief Carey James. James says Remote Video Surveillance (or RVS) was a great idea in the beginning, but bureaucratic meddling from Washington, D.C. ruined its chances of succeeding. "I will have a little trouble sleeping at night and I think all of us should be a little worried," James says. We obtained documents, which reveal hundreds of specific daily breakdowns with RVS near Blaine. "All cameras: Controls not working 95 percent of the time." The system was suppose to be a $5 million pilot project, but it's already ballooned to $8 million, and counting. "We continually pour money into these systems and people are not held accountable or responsible." A 100 page report, filed deep inside INS headquarters in Washington DC, says it will take millions more tax money to fix equipment. KIRO Team 7 Investigators were denied the report under a new Homeland Security law. We were told release "would cause the government harm," even though camera failure rates are considered "sensitive, but unclassified papers." "We've requested a copy of this report that you've brought to our attention," says U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. Cantwell has been a big supporter of funding more agents and more technology along Washington's border. "We need accountability by the INS and we need accountability by the individual contractor of the technology. We need to give the border agents the tools to do their job," Cantwell says. Our investigation discovered that the main contractor on the camera project is a company called International Microwave Corporation. The company's Vice President is the daughter of Texas Congressman Silvester Reyes. IMC recently received a $200 million no-bid contract from the Department of Justice to install security systems along all US borders. Congressman Reyes says he did not exert influence on behalf of his daughters company. |
| Wednesday, November 27, 2002 More Breakdowns of Border Security Cameras Uncovered Chris Halsne An exclusive KIRO Team 7 Investigation uncovers more unbelievable breakdowns with border security cameras. Earlier this week, our expose proved that a new multi-million dollar high-tech camera system installed on the Canadian-U.S. border routinely fails. We also discovered tax money from the project is making its way back to the family of a powerful U.S. Congressman. Now, KIRO Team 7 Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne reveals new, highly sensitive documents regarding camera malfunctions. If KIRO Team 7 Investigators had waited for the federal government to give us these camera failure records, we'd all still be in the dark about just how awful the system is performing. But we've already obtained new information about border camera problems in other parts of the country. Border Patrol agents on the ground thought the new $5 million computerized camera system near Blaine, Washington would make their jobs easier -- and safer. As it turns out, the 32 camera set-up is incredibly unreliable. "If we don't blow the whistle or raise the red flag and tell the American people what's going on, that's a bigger threat to security than anything," says former Border Patrol chief Carey James. The problems listed on failure logs and in other classified documents obtained by KIRO Team 7 Investigators from confidential sources show a host of deficiencies that put national security at risk. • standing water inside electrical vaults Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C., is downplaying our investigation, saying "glitches can be expected in a new system," and that camera failures along the Northern border are a "localized problem." However, Chief James tells KIRO Team 7 Investigators that similar computerized camera systems recently installed along New Mexico and Texas borders break down daily, as well. "There are a lot of sectors unhappy with this equipment they want something better," James says. "A lot of them want it replaced. They are replacing it. Again, a waste of taxpayer money." The contractor in charge of installing and maintaining camera equipment along All U.S. borders is a Connecticut company called IMC, or International Microwave Corporation. We discovered taxpayers are set to spend at least $200 million with IMC in the next two years. "If the cameras aren't working, what's coming across?" asks James. James says big fixes better be coming before the high-tech failures allow more terrorists to slip undetected into the U.S. "The security of the American people depends very strongly on this equipment in areas where border agents are not present all the time. The politics behind the IMC camera deal are raising some eyebrows around Washington, D.C. We discovered the Vice President of International Microwave Corporation is a woman named Rebecca Reyes. She is the daughter of Texas Congressman Silvester Reyes. He is a former Border Patrol chief from El Paso, and has sponsored a number of bills that fund border security technology. |
Typical of a bureaucracy, top officials pursue whistleblowers. It wouldn't surprise me if MarineInspector has been harassed from higher up. Job Number One in the federal government is KEEP MY JOB and my federal employee benefits. A true reformer trying to fix problems is in for a rough ride.
I know, it won't happen because each community wants to keep the federal dollars flowing into their own neighborhood. Far more important than national security.
Huh? That's been going on for 30 years. The American citizens can't scream about it any louder, while the federal government sits back an enjoys everyone arguing about it while our so-called leaders stand in stone silence in the face of this titanic invasion of millions. It's pathetic.
This government has no GD desire to secure our borders or our sovereignty.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.