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• Technology

ADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGIES VS. BORDER FENCES

BORDER SECURITY IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

This technical note describes why technology is better than a fence for protecting most of our southwest border. Fences are useful in crowded, urban areas where there is sufficient manpower to guard the fence. However, the border has many large, open areas between urban ports of entry where wide area surveillance technology provides superior performance, at a fraction of the cost of a fence. The primary detection technologies currently used along the border are seismic sensors, day and night cameras, and more recently wide area radars, which detect intruders and point cameras for assessment by an operator/agent.

A typical scenario for a border with a fence is that either an agent is present to apprehend someone climbing over the fence, or the road alongside the fence is scanned for evidence of a crossing. The intruder is then tracked and apprehended. Visually and physically monitoring the fence requires a large number of agents to cover the whole length of the fence.

A typical scenario for a border protected by technology is that the radar observes an intrusion, points a camera and alerts monitoring agents about an impending intrusion before the border is crossed. Continuous tracking and video is provided so the agents have time to devise the appropriate response, depending on how many intruders there are, what they look like, and what they are carrying. A team of two agents can electronically “patrol” many miles of border from a control center, and then dispatch responders as needed. This is a more efficient use of manpower. The radar continues to track even after the intruders pass the site – it works 360° around the radar to provide a long tracking and response time. Putting up a fence or wall could prevent the early warning a radar can give to responders.

BENEFITS OF UTILIZING TECHNOLOGIES

RESPONSE TIME

The most critical element in border protection is response time. A radar can detect personnel before the border is crossed and track intruders for several miles after crossing, thus greatly increasing response time. A fence contributes almost nothing to response time.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

A radar/camera system provides early detection and real-time tracking, substantially improving response time and safety for responders. A fence merely slows down a crosser by a minute or two. COST The cost of installing a fence is up to 10 times more than a radar/camera system.

EFFECTIVENESS

Proper radar/camera placement detects and identifies everyone prior to crossing the border, allowing agents to prioritize their response. A fence provides little information to assist apprehensions.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

A fence is an eyesore which interrupts all border crossings, except the illegal ones. Legal crossings (tribal activities) and animal migrations are stopped. A radar tower every few miles can detect illegal crossings, and have minimal effect on the environment.

DEATHS IN THE DESERT

Using technology is much more humane than a fence since early detection and response can save many who now die of heat stroke or dehydration.

WHY USE TECHNOLOGIES?

The radar/camera technology has been used in situations along the border for several years, proving its effectiveness. It now needs to be applied along the open areas of the border, instead of building a fence or wall.

• BETTER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
• LOWER COST
• IMPROVED EFFECTIVENESS
• LESS ENVIRONMENTAL
• HUMANITARIAN BENEFITS