|
Shocking An internal Border Patrol memo revealed that nearly a third of security cameras along the U.S. southern border are not working.
That means about 150 of the 500 cameras on surveillance towers along the U.S.-Mexico border that are currently not in use.
The statistical bombshell, released to agents in early October and obtained by NBC News, states that “the nationwide issue is having a significant impact on (Border Patrol) operations.”
Border Patrol officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, attributed the large-scale outage to “several technical issues,” including outdated equipment and a backlog of repairs.
The remote video monitoring systems used since 2011 were designed to monitor large areas without the need for extensive deployment of agents.
An internal Border Patrol memo revealed that nearly a third of the cameras in the agency's main surveillance system along the U.S. southern border are not working.
That means about 30 percent – or 150 of the 500 cameras on surveillance towers along the U.S.-Mexico border – are currently inoperable.
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials confirmed that while some repairs were made this month, more than 150 camera repair requests remain unresolved.
This resulted in some areas along the border becoming invisible to patrol officers.
In response to the issue, a CBP spokesperson told the facility: “CBP continues to install newer, more advanced technologies that include artificial intelligence and machine learning to replace outdated systems, reducing the need for non-intercept agents.”
Two Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials confirmed that while some repairs were made this month, more than 150 camera repair requests remain unresolved
Border Patrol officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, attributed the large-scale outage to “several technical issues,” including outdated equipment and a backlog of repairs
According to an internal memo received by the facility, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is responsible for servicing systems and repairing cameras, is struggling with internal problems in meeting the needs of the Border Patrol.
The FAA is reportedly sending personnel to the southern border to address camera issues.
Last month it was revealed that more than 13,000 immigrants have been convicted of murder According to ICE, citizens of the United States or abroad are now living freely in America.
In September, the agency disclosed the staggering number to Congress, acknowledging that many killers had slipped through the net.
Remote Video Surveillance Systems, used since 2011, were designed to monitor large areas without the need for extensive deployment of agents.
Immigrants are classified by ICE as “non-detainable,” meaning they are known to the agency and have ongoing immigration cases against them in America, but are not behind bars because they are not prioritized or ICE cannot find them.
The figures come in the context of several high-profile murders of Americans allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants, including the brutal murder of University of Georgia student Laken Riley, 22, in February.
