Homeland Security Meeting

[Mutt]

I got this report from Radar about the March 11 meeting and with his permission, here it is.

Hello ALL  ..

     Just yesterday I attended an DHS meeting at the Deming NM BP station.

     Here is the info I got ...

     Incoming IA's into New Mexico

     Year             2006                    2007                      2008
      Down           96 %                   74 %                      72 %
      ( keep in mind that these are BP numbers, BUT no matter what
        it all adds up to a BIG reduction in numbers )

     I ask the head agent from Lordsburg about the "usual" bump in
     numbers during March, April, May -- his answer was "so far we have
     seen NO bump in numbers"

     ( Personal note - I bumped into Quasi at the Post Office and he says
      that " he has not seen ANY illegals in a long, long time ". )

     Reasons for decline .. Deming was 150 agents now nearing 400 agents.
                                  Lordsburg was 50-75 agents now 190 agents.
                                  (Lordsburg has reached maximum capacity and
                                   no longer has room for any more agents)

                                   (Also note that Lordsburg has been responding to
                                   calls from Arizona residents along Roue 80
                                   between Douglas and Rodeo NM .. This will stop
                                   in the near future as this area is assigned to the
                                   Willcox BP station .. This will also allow more of the
                                   Lordsburg Agents to cover their territory in NM)

                                  "Pedestrian" fencing has been effective wherever
                                   it has been installed .. Vehicle barriers no help.

                                  Their "Post and Rail" fencing can be converted to
                                  "pedestrian" fencing easily at a later date.

                                   BP has been using "horseback" patrols on or at
                                   MM 42 West of Columbus (near Hachita) and
                                   the "bootheel" in general, in a very effective manner.

     Future improvements :

                                    Two "Ground Radar" units have arrived at Lordsburg,
                                    One "Ground Radar" unit has arrived in Deming.

                                    Two additional trucks with the latest "Thermal units"
                                    will be in operation soon. (These units are similar to
                                    what American Border Patrol has only newer, they
                                    have even added a Laser Rangefinder to them)

                                    Their new Forward Operating Base (FOB) should be
                                    up and running in the next month or so. Agents
                                    stay there around the clock (12 on - 12 off) and are
                                    on-call even during their 12 off .. This should reduce
                                    the time required for a shift change when the border
                                    is unguarded and could be called out for large groups
                                    or other "major events".  ( New FOB is about half way
                                    between Columbus and Hachita )

                                    The Navy Seabees are scheduled to complete the
                                    "Pedestrian Fencing" along the Animas Moutain
                                     range  where the "save the toad" foundation has
                                     been battling to keep it out ...

                                    BP/DEA has added a  camera on I-25 that is capable
                                    of reading license plates and running them through
                                    NCIC .. ( Both illegals and drugs are commonly
                                    transported by stolen vehicles )


     Greatest Threats :

                                   Drugs are still at the top of the list ...

                                   WMD and Terrorism is still #2 (unofficially)

                                   Newest area of concern is Bio-terrorism ..
                                   If a cow with hoof and mouth disease or TB
                                   makes it over the border to our side the
                                   entire herd must be quarantined.
                                   ( Yet another good reason for a fence )

                                   YOU ATTN PLEASE .. there is now a new
                                   super-strain of TB that can be carried by cattle
                                   as  well as humans that is resistant to ALL
                                   known antibiotics ...

                                   The question was asked " If the Mexican
                                   economy should collapse and there was a rush
                                   to the border by a hugh number of Mexicans
                                   does BP have a plan ?"  YES was the answer.
                                   It is in the works if not already completed.


          Hope this clarifies the situation here in New Mexico for you'all ...
          I am still undecided about participating in any PBA or other event
          in April or May even if the folks in Colorado are chomping it to bits
          to get back to the border and get back in action again ! ! !


                                                                C U Later Alligator ...

                                                                          Radar

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