Texas Virtual Border Watch

The Texas Virtual Border Watch is a pilot program created by the State of Texas that allows individuals with internet access to observe and report on the Texas-Mexico border via their computers. On June 1, 2006 Texas Governor Rick Perry announced 5 million dollars to be used with the voluntary participation of private land owners to install the cameras.[1]

The trial version of the Texas Virtual Border Watch received 2,780 reports of suspicious activity before November 2008.[2] The site has attracted participation from individuals around the world, including Australian pub patrons.[3] Users range from those who want to help stop illegal drug traffic and illegal immigration across the border to those simply looking for "something to do".[4]

From November 2008 to February 2009, the program has been credited for four busts yielding 1,500 pounds of marijuana, and 30 incidents where illegal immigrants were repelled.[5]

It is funded by the Texas governor's criminal justice office, at a cost of $2 million in its first year. The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition (TBSC) instituted the program with BlueServo Inc. to provide the free service.[5]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/4909/ Texas Governor's Press Release. Retrieved on 2009.05.14
  2. ↑ http://www.epcounty.com/CS/blogs/sheriff_news/archive/2008/11/20/texas-border-sheriff-s-coalition-institute-border-surveillance-cameras.aspx El Paso County Sheriff's Office News. Retrieved on 2009.05.14
  3. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/texas-mexico-patrol-webcam-australia
  4. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/12/border.security.cameras.immigration/
  5. 1 2 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101050132 NPR Report. Retrieved on 2009.05.14


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