Thread: Boeing to replace 9 towers at border

Boeing to replace 9 towers at border
Existing ones failed to cut illegal immigration enough
By Brady McCombs
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.12.2008


ARIVACA — Homeland Security plans to replace nine camera towers along a 28-mile stretch of border flanking Sasabe with new models by the end of 2008.
The towers — the backbone of a $20.6 million Boeing Co. test project known as Project 28 — have been operational for about three months but have failed to meet expectations since going up in summer 2007.
Border Patrol agents began using the system in December and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff officially accepted the system on Feb. 22 — eight months after the scheduled launch date.
"We are now moving on with the next state-of-the-art project," said Tom King, director of the SBInet field offices in Washington D.C., at a community meeting in Arivaca. "We are going to replace those towers with the new, stout towers." SBInet is part of Homeland Security's Secure Border Initiative.
"The technology that is on those towers isn't as effective as technology that is available today. … You have to understand that that was back in October of 2006 technology, and there is better technology out there today. We have proven technology that is actually very successful for us," King said.
The new 80-foot towers will use the same cameras and radar that are on 12-foot mobile surveillance units that Border Patrol agents use from the back of agency trucks, King said.
"We think, somebody who hired me thinks, that we put this technology on the tower, we will be a lot more successful than we are right now and improve the apprehension rate," King said.
Although he didn't know the amount of the new contract for the latest towers, King said it has been awarded to Boeing.
In December, Homeland Security awarded Boeing a $64.5 million contract to upgrade the SBInet operating software and an $8 million contract for maintenance and logistics support for Project 28, a Government Accountability Office report said.
Through Feb. 15, Boeing had been awarded $1.154 billion in contracts for Secure Border Initiative projects, the report states.
In September 2006, Homeland Security awarded the prime contract for the Secure Border Initiative to Boeing for three years with three one-year options. That made Boeing the prime contractor responsible for acquiring, deploying and sustaining selected technology and tactical infrastructure, or fences, roads and vehicle barriers.
Arivaca residents who predicted the system wouldn't work questioned why Boeing would get paid again for a second attempt.
"Boeing has proven themselves totally inept and incapable of fulfilling the contract, so why reward them with additional contracts?" said Bruce Schockett, a 61-year-old professional photographer who has lived in Arivaca for 25 years.
"They seem to be just throwing more money at Boeing," said Peter Ragan, a resident of Arivaca for five years. "It seems to be very open-ended. … It makes you ask the question, who's running the show? Every time Boeing reaches a new obstacle, they get a new contract."
When asked why Boeing would get another contract after failing to meet expectations with the first one, King said: "I don't know how to answer that. It's a contract, they have the main contract for the Secure Border Initiative. And they are doing better."
Flawed system
The current 98-foot towers — equipped with radar, cameras and sensors — were supposed to be able to scan the entire 28-mile area and detect illegal entries in one of the busiest areas for illegal immigration along the Southwest border.
The information collected would be sent to computers in control rooms and laptops in Border Patrol vehicles.
But a host of glitches delayed implementation of the system and rendered the test project a disappointment, and to critics, a complete failure. The problems included, according to a February Government Accountability Office report:
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Boeing has proven themselves totally inept and incapable of fulfilling the contract, so why reward them with additional contracts?" said Bruce Schockett, a 61-year-old professional photographer who has lived in Arivaca for 25 years.
"They seem to be just throwing more money at Boeing," said Peter Ragan, a resident of Arivaca for five years. "It seems to be very open-ended. … It makes you ask the question, who's running the show? Every time Boeing reaches a new obstacle, they get a new contract."
When asked why Boeing would get another contract after failing to meet expectations with the first one, King said: "I don't know how to answer that. It's a contract, they have the main contract for the Secure Border Initiative. And they are doing better."


OK, so I'm contracted to do an interior design. The problem is the flooring I suggested and put in is cracked, the stain doesn't match, so I give excuses that new products are out so "let's do it again." Of course the owner of the home or business says "go ahead I trust you and the sub-contractors you use. No problem. I'll let you have another chance and if that doesn't work you just keep trying and I'll keep paying you."


YA right. Only with a government that pays $500 for a hammer.


"Boeing's concept has been … it didn't hit the ground running, let's say that," King said.
"It's a boondoggle," Schockett said. "Obviously, they have carte blanche to do whatever they want."
"It was an absolute, complete waste of money because that technology isn't really useable anywhere else," Ragan said.
King, however, objects to such harsh criticism of Project 28.
"Those towers aren't a loss. It isn't a waste of money," King said. "Maybe the cameras don't work in this area, but those cameras do serve a purpose for other locations."
"It did work, it does work," King said. "Not as successful as we thought, but it is what it is."


Ya, the floors I put in aren't a loss. I can put it in the mission shelter. They won't care that its cracked and you can't clean it. Of course, you don't mind donating it at your cost, right?

Call me simplistic, but wouldn't we have been better off by just putting up a cemet wall, or the double layered fence that was originally proposed.

"The technology that is on those towers isn't as effective as technology that is available today. … You have to understand that that was back in October of 2006 technology, and there is better technology out there today. We have proven technology that is actually very successful for us," King said.

What! Already! In just less than 2 years these cameras are ineffective and need to be replaced. I bet you this is going to be real expensive.

"They seem to be just throwing more money at Boeing,"
Every time Boeing reaches a new obstacle, they get a new contract."

The billions spent on Boeing could have been used to build a double layer cement fence. And it would have WORKED better than those damn cameras.

But, the fence would have been IN THE WAY of the NAFTA Highway. And "would impede the free-flow of human cattle along the border".(sarcasm)

I bet the govenors along the border, and alot of other politicians own alot of BOEING stock.

Originally Posted by butterbean

I bet the govenors along the border, and alot of other politicians own alot of BOEING stock.[/b]

I bet you're right and I think our odds are better than the lottery. I bet that stock is gifted to them. FOLLOW THE MONEY.

Instead of this trial and error, go to Israel and study and copy their fence--it works!

Instead of relying on manpower alone to capture the illegal immigrants I think there should be non-lethal defense mechanisms the border agents can remotely launch from these towers to prevent their entry--we have the technology.