30 Percent of Border Patrol Surveillance Cameras are Inoperable, Internal Memo Reveals
An internal memo distributed within US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October revealed that 30 percent of the cameras used in the Border Patrol’s surveillance system on the southern border are nonfunctional. The memo, obtained by NBC News, acknowledged that the widespread issue is significantly impacting Border Patrol operations.
According to the memo, approximately 150 out of the 500 cameras mounted on surveillance towers along the southern border are inoperable due to “several technical problems.” Officials, speaking anonymously, attributed the malfunction to outdated equipment and unresolved repair issues, NBC News reported.
The Remote Video Surveillance Systems, which have been used since 2011, are designed to monitor large sections of the border without requiring extensive personnel deployment. However, it is unclear exactly when the cameras became inoperable. Customs and Border Protection officials confirmed that some repairs were completed this month, but over 150 outstanding repair requests remain. As a result, certain areas along the border are currently out of the Border Patrol’s surveillance range.
A CBP spokesperson stated that around 300 new surveillance towers equipped with advanced technology have been installed.
“CBP continues to install newer, more advanced technology that embrace artificial intelligence and machine learning to replace outdated systems, reducing the need to have agents working non-interdiction functions,” the spokesperson said.
The Border Patrol union in Laredo, Texas, addressed the issue in a Facebook post last week, expressing concern over the malfunctioning towers. The post emphasized the potential risks to officer safety and border security caused by the inoperative cameras.
“We hope this issue is resolved soon as the problem has been ongoing for quite some time,” the union said in the post. “The American taxpayer has made significant investments in technology along the border, and they expect that this technology is operational.”
The memo also criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is responsible for servicing and repairing the cameras. According to the memo, the FAA has struggled to meet the Border Patrol’s needs. The agency is now exploring the possibility of contracting with an outside provider to ensure more reliable technical support for the surveillance systems.
