Virtual Fence Necessary to Monitor Border - Yuma Sun
May 16, 2009
The virtual fence overcomes some of the difficulties of installing physical fencing. It uses an array of electrical sensors mounted on tall towers in remote areas to detect border activity. Border agents monitor the cameras and other detection equipment so they can respond to intrusions.
A lot of the physical fencing has proved especially effective against vehicle crossings and has dramatically reduced the number of illegal crossers in some areas, like ours. But individuals can still successfully penetrate the fences. That is why drug smugglers, for example, have switched to people carrying drugs across in backpacks.
The virtual fence sensors could help in better detecting these individual crossings in remote areas.
Some doubt the reliability of the virtual fence, however. There were reports of problems and cost overruns with a prototype version tested here in Arizona. But Homeland Security officials say the new virtual fence has been improved.
The Yuma Sun
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