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Some interesting reading regarding all this at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/i200004/i200004.htm
In which the following is stated:
INS IS UNABLE TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER Because the Border Patrol lacks the resources to monitor illegal activity along the northern border, it cannot accurately quantify how many illegal aliens and drug smugglers it fails to apprehend. The number of BPAs available simply cannot patrol the entire length of the border. "Force-multipliers," such as cameras and sensors, aid the Border Patrol in its surveillance and interdiction activities, but the northern border sectors do not have adequate amounts of such equipment. For example, at the time of our inspection, one northern border sector had identified 65 smuggling corridors along the more than 300 miles of border within its area of responsibility. However, the sector had only 36 sensors with which to monitor those corridors --- With regards to special passes: The CANPASS is the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit, a joint initiative of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, allows the bearer to cross the border into Canada at certain remote areas without reporting to a port of entry, as long as imported goods are declared. The permit is valid for the following locations:
And the PACE pass is available for BC-Whatcom County, Washington residents. Info: http://www.getpace.com/
Doug -------Original Message-------
From: bjbutler@...
Date: Saturday, August
04, 2001 04:36:06 PM
Subject:
[BoundaryPoint] Re: More lax than US-Canada? along the US/Canada border. While these measures may be used in some locations I am fairly certain there are no laser sensors or other detectors along vast stretches of the border. For one thing, this would be nearly impossible from Maine to New York because the border is quite crooked and hilly. Lasers require line of site. In addition, I have seen many places on the boundary vista is taller than a man, moose, or elk. Also, how are these sensors supposedly powered, solar cells? And how do they communicate? From the east end of Lake Superior to the West end of Lake of the Woods, there are many canoeists with Boundary Waters passes, available for $20, which allow them to cross the border freely. How could the police distiguish between these individuals and illegal crossers without stopping all of them? Another type of pass, CanPass I believe, allows border crossings by ranchers, farmers, and other individuals at locations other that ports of entry. How can this be compatible with a trip-wire system? The existence of heavy surveillance seems at odds with my own experiences along the border as well. I have approached and temporarily crossed the border many times in these remote locations, on land and water. I have never been bothered by any official from either country. A prime example is the foot trail that leads from the US customs house where US3 exits New Hampshire to the Fourth Connecticut Lake. The trail is located on the boundary vista and crosses it several times. BJB |
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