ELECTRONIC EYES FOCUS ON BORDER

A total of 64 remote-controlled cameras have been installed to help cut
down on illegal activities at the western end of the Canada-U.S. border.

The 70-km strip - from Columbia Valley south of Cultus Lake, through
Abbotsford and west to White Rock - is now completely covered by the lenses
as border patrol officers attempt to crack down on illegal immigrants and
drug runners entering both countries.

The cameras have been installed on top of poles on American soil, and U.S.
Border Patrol Deputy Chief John Bates said he is confident the $5 million
(U.S.) project will enhance surveillance standards.

"We are very excited about it as it will provide more eyes for us.

"It will be a real benefit as we can document exactly what goes on," he said.

"We are never going to have fences across the border or agents patrolling
right along, and nobody wants to have a closed border.

"It is to the benefit of both sides to do a good job here.

"We have an incredibly good working relationship with the Canadian
authorities and it is all about fitting pieces into the puzzle.

"We need to keep putting the pieces together and keeping the communication
strong."

Half of the cameras will operate during the day, with the other half
utilizing infrared technology at night.

Previously, the area was monitored by motion sensors, but Bates said these
were unreliable as they could be triggered by wild animals or weather
conditions.

He said one major advantage was that border patrol officers could now
evaluate how many officers to send to a certain spot after watching the
screens.

He also also said that if anyone illegally crossed the border and was not
caught right away, the documented footage could later be used later court.

Bates claims most problems stem from people outside North America using
Canada as a gateway into the U.S.

"We do not have any issues with the Canadian people. It is basically people
utilizing Canada to get in from other countries," he said.

The award-winning Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) monitors
illegal entry by patrolling either side of the separation.

Cpl. Gerry Freill, the officer in charge of the Canadian team, believes the
cameras will act as a valuable asset in keeping illegal immigration and
drug trafficking at bay.

"It is a fantastic tool, but only one of many tools we can use to combat
the cross-border situation," he said.

"Is it going to eliminate problems? Absolutely not. But it is going to act
as a deterrent."

After a tour of the control room in Blaine, Freill was impressed by the
range of the cameras and the small detail on which they can focus.

"These will be employed in the day-to-day operation and will be fantastic,"
Freill said.

"I do not think there should be cameras right along the border, but in
areas such as this, we can really use them to the full extent."