New technology helps BP prevent illegal entries

A mobile radar and camera system has been playing an important role in preventing illegal entries into the country for the Yuma Sector Border Patrol by allowing them to see things they have never been able to see before.

Agent Shaun Kuzia, a spokesman for the Yuma Sector, said the mobile surveillance system (MSS) lets agents in the field detect and identify people and vehicles illegally entering the country from as far as seven miles away.

"They allow us to be more efficient and effective," Kuzia said. "They allow us to detect an entry, get our agents in position and bring the incident to a law enforcement conclusion more rapidly."

Built and developed by Telephonics Electronic Systems, with the assistance of the Border Patrol, the mobile surveillance system is equipped with daytime video camera, a nighttime video camera with thermal imaging, ground surveillance radar, a GPS unit and a laser range finder.

"We still use the traditional methods of agents out patrolling the border," Kuzia said. "What this allows us to do is cover larger areas with fewer agents."

In explaining how the mobile surveillance system works, Kuzia said the radar makes a 180-degree sweep every 10 seconds across a 10-mile-wide swath, and its two cameras can see nearly seven miles out.

Kuzia said once the radar gets a hit, the cameras automatically focus on that location. At that point an agent will be able to use the camera to identify what what type of radar hit it was — whether it is wildlife, a vehicle or a group of illegal aliens or drug smugglers walking with heavy bags - possibly carrying backpacks of marijuana.

"If the subjects are close enough, the cameras operators can even tell if the subjects are carrying weapons," Kuzia said.

The GPS locates the radar hit precisely, and the laser range finder can be used to lock a point of light on a subject or target that will be visible only by agents who are wearing night vision goggles.

Mounted on the back of a flatbed truck, each unit can be raised 18 feet into the air. The passenger seat in the truck faces backwards, which allows the agent to view computer monitors and operate a control console, which are also mounted inside the cab of the vehicle.

Although he wouldn't give an exact number due to operational security, Kuzia said the Yuma Sector has several mobile surveillance systems deployed throughout the sector at any given time.

Kuzia added the mobile surveillance system's effectiveness is also making it a deterrent against illegal entries and drug smuggling attempts.

"We can respond exactly to where the threat is and shut it down as soon as possible," Kuzia said.

Earlier this month, a mobile surveillance system spotted the heat from torches being used to cut away a large section of the border fence near San Luis on its thermal imaging and notified agents in the area.

"They didn't get very far because the mobile surveillance system operator led agents to their vehicles," Kuzia said. "They knew they were going to get caught."

Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Station were able to seize two vehicles and more than a ton of marijuana as a result of the detection.

Kuzia said the national strategy of the Border Patrol has been to find the right mix of manpower, technology and infrastructure to secure the nation's border, and that the Yuma Sector has done that well for the past two to three years.

"We feel we have done a good job of accomplishing that goal," Kuzia said.

Kuzia said the mobile surveillance systems are moved around frequently, based on the amount of activity occurring in any given area of the sector.

Being able to see the incursion, Kuzia said, also allows agents to send an appropriate response, which leaves other agents freed up to handle other responses.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.