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The irony, it kills me
Oct. 7th, 2006 07:30 pm WASHINGTON -- The United States is eager to install a battery of surveillance towers, motion sensors and infrared cameras to monitor the Canada-U.S. border.
Now if only they can find it.
After years of neglect and under funding by Washington and Ottawa, the International Boundary Commission admits it can no longer identify large swaths of the Canada-U.S. border, particularly in heavily forested areas overrun by dense shrubbery and sprouting trees.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security announced the first $67-million US contract for its Secure Border Initiative, a surveillance plan expected to carry an overall price tag of about $2 billion. By comparison, the International Boundary Commission's receives just $1.27 million US from Washington to carry out its mandate.
"If you can't see the boundary, then you can't secure it. Everyone is talking about motion detectors and virtual fences, but you've got to remember the basic building blocks," says Schornack. "You have to have this corridor clear if you are going to detect movement across it. If you are taking pictures of trees, you are not really protecting the boundary."
Now if only they can find it.
After years of neglect and under funding by Washington and Ottawa, the International Boundary Commission admits it can no longer identify large swaths of the Canada-U.S. border, particularly in heavily forested areas overrun by dense shrubbery and sprouting trees.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security announced the first $67-million US contract for its Secure Border Initiative, a surveillance plan expected to carry an overall price tag of about $2 billion. By comparison, the International Boundary Commission's receives just $1.27 million US from Washington to carry out its mandate.
"If you can't see the boundary, then you can't secure it. Everyone is talking about motion detectors and virtual fences, but you've got to remember the basic building blocks," says Schornack. "You have to have this corridor clear if you are going to detect movement across it. If you are taking pictures of trees, you are not really protecting the boundary."
