Thread: Homeland Security Axes Bush-Era 'Virtual Fence' Project

ABC
Jason Ryan

Homeland Security Axes Bush-Era 'Virtual Fence' Project

ABC News' Jason Ryan reports: The Department of Homeland Security today officially scrapped a Bush-era program designed to use radar technology to detect illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a DHS official and a congressional source.

The project, called "Virtual Fence," was rolled out under the Bush administration in 2006 with much fanfare about how technology could help secure the border. Illegal immigrants crossing the border would be detected by a radar and picked up by remote cameras, which were monitored by border patrol agents.

But numerous internal and Congressional reviews found consistent performance problems with the project's systems, which only spanned 53 miles of the vast U.S.-Mexico border.

A DHS assessment released today found that "the SBInet system is not the right system for all areas of the border and it is not the most cost-effective approach to secure the border. However, some elements of the SBInet development have provided useful capability."

"DHS briefed Congress today on my decision to end SBInet as originally conceived and on a new path forward for security technology along the Southwest border," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said today. "There is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution to meet our border technology needs, and this new strategy is tailored to the unique needs of each border region."

DHS will utilize some of the existing technologies that were found to be useful in what the agency is calling a southwest border security technology plan.

The new plan "will utilize existing, proven technology tailored to the distinct terrain and population density of each border region, including commercially available Mobile Surveillance Systems, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, thermal imaging devices, and tower-based Remote Video Surveillance Systems." Napolitano added.

The issues that the program encountered were wide ranging: cameras often provided blurry images, the radar system performed poorly in bad weather, and it often displayed false detections that were unable to distinguish between humans, cars and animals.

There were also cost overruns and the primary contractor, Boeing, repeatedly missed deadlines, officials said.

Members of Congress on the oversight committees welcomed the news.

“The secretary’s decision to terminate SBInet ends a long-troubled program that spent far too much of the taxpayers’ money for the results it delivered," Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., said in a statement. "From the start, SBInet’s one-size-fits-all approach was unrealistic. The department’s decision to use technology based on the particular security needs of each segment of the border is a far wiser approach, and I hope it will be more cost effective.â€

FWIW, the 'virtual fence' was a complete joke - an INSULT to Americans and the United States Constitution.

Next.........Dismantle Dept of Homeland Security, Multi-Billion dollar waste of taxpayer money. Put Security of the nation back into the hands of the FBI where it belongs.

Napolitano Cancels Virtual Border Fence Project, Proposes Alternative

Published January 14, 2011
FoxNews.com

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Friday that she has canceled the troubled virtual fence project along the southwest border, proposing a new plan which she claims will better address each region's border security needs.

The decision comes a year after the secretary ordered a review of the project, which was hampered by delays and technological glitches, and froze its funding. The original plan, known as SBInet, envisioned a system of cameras and sensors which would allow officers to monitor crossings and dispatch Border Patrol agents to catch anyone entering the United States illegally.

Napolitano said her department briefed members of Congress on Friday about the final decision to nix the program "as originally conceived." But she said DHS will pursue a "new path forward" for security along the 2,000-mile southern U.S. border. The secretary said that while the U.S. cannot provide a "single, integrated border security technology solution," the new plan will use different technologies in different areas.

That could mean a system of surveillance towers in one area and unmanned drones in another. It could mean thermal imaging in one area and elements of the old SBInet plan in another.

"There is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution to meet our border technology needs, and this new strategy is tailored to the unique needs of each border region, providing faster deployment of technology, better coverage, and a more effective balance between cost and capability," Napolitano said.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., a leading critic of the old virtual fence plan, applauded Napolitano's decision.

"The SBInet program has been a grave and expensive disappointment since its inception," said Thompson, ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee. "I am glad that DHS and (Customs and Border Protection) are finally listening to what we have been saying for years -- that the sheer size and variations of our borders show us a one-stop solution has never been best."

The project was first proposed under the George W. Bush administration. When SBInet was put on hold a year ago, it had cost the government $672 million. Technical problems, involving the effectiveness of video cameras and other elements, had by that point pushed the project far off schedule.

Republicans have since been torn over the decision to sideline the virtual fence. Republicans like Arizona Sen. John McCain shared the administration's concern about mismanagement while others fretted that the government would not present a viable alternative. Border security-conscious lawmakers will surely weigh in on whatever proposal Napolitano puts on the table next, something she said would be worked out this year.

"Independent, quantitative, science-based assessments will continue along each sector of the southwest border in 2011 to determine the optimal combination of technology for each region," Napolitano said.

Despite potential concerns about what will fill the void, a DHS official told Fox News that Border Patrol is better staffed "than at any time in its 86-year history." The official said the administration has doubled the number of agents since 2004 to more than 20,500. The official said the deployment earlier in the year of 1,200 National Guard and other initiatives have helped border officials seize more illegal cash, more illegal drugs and more illegal weapons over the past two years.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01 ... ternative/

Can't wait to hear the alternative she is proposing!

Originally Posted by OneNationUnderGod

Can't wait to hear the alternative she is proposing! :roll:

. . . the new plan will use different technologies in different areas.
That could mean a system of surveillance towers in one area and unmanned drones in another. It could mean thermal imaging in one area and elements of the old SBInet plan in another.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Originally Posted by OneNationUnderGod

Can't wait to hear the alternative she is proposing!

. . . the new plan will use different technologies in different areas.
That could mean a system of surveillance towers in one area and unmanned drones in another. It could mean thermal imaging in one area and elements of the old SBInet plan in another.

Thanks JD. I am tired tonite

Kind of late but probably should be on our Homepage.
This news is not surprising. What a huge waste of money.

Added to Homepage:
http://www.alipac.us/article-6001--0-0.html

Shouldn't we be using the Military since we are already paying them to guard our country? Wouldn't it be cheaper, more secure, she didn't bother saying there wouldn't be any Soldiers! I hope Issa goes after her next after Holder!

We have to replace Obama in 2012. Obama and his administration are so inept. We do not need them. I cannot wait until 2012. Let's vote them out. And no amnesty for illegal aliens, NEVER.