|
|
Courts and Police
Yuma sector Border Patrol spokesman Chris Van Wagenen said work started Wednesday on new fencing in the Yuma sector about 14 miles east of the U.S. Port of Entry at San Luis, Ariz. "They'll start from about where the vehicle barriers stop and head east," he said. The vehicle barriers already in place start about seven miles east of the port and extend for roughly six miles to the east, Van Wagenen said. DHS spokesman Jarrod Agen said the new fencing is part of a larger 37-mile project that will mix vehicle barriers, traditional fencing and "virtual fence" technology to deter entry into the United States from Mexico and to aid in the apprehension of more illegal crossers. On Jan. 12, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff cleared the way for the fence construction to start by waiving environmental regulations and laws impeding construction along the 2.8 million-acre bombing range. Environmentalists have criticized the fencing and barrier plans, saying that will not stop people in search of jobs but will be a step toward destroying a fragile portion of southern Arizona's desert. Rep. Raul Grijalva, who represents Yuma, came out against the decision, saying it was shortsighted to build walls that would harm endangered species and merely force people to cross at different parts of the border. In building the fence, Agen said, the federal government aims to match the correct infrastructure with the unique characteristics of the border. He said protecting the Goldwater Range is important because as an active bombing range, illegal immigrants are endangered and also hamper military training. "They have to stop training every time there is an incursion," he said. In a previous story in The Sun, Robert Villanueva, a spokesman for Boeing, said the contract won’t necessarily introduce any new or unheard-of innovations in technology, but rather expand on existing technology like surveillance cameras and motion detectors. "There are elements in the field, but not enough to do the job," he said in September. "We want to get this technology in their hands so they can respond better and to keep (agents) safer. This is going to identify the bad guys quicker." Boeing received the contract for what is known as SBI Net last fall for a reported $2.1 billion. The Boeing Web site says the project will include ground- and tower-mounted sensors, cameras and radar; ground-penetrating detection systems; and mobile and fixed communications devices. Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858. The Associated Press contributed to this story.  |
|
