At $2 Million, Border Web Cams Only Net 11 Arrests
Perry's border Web camera program misses goals
Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 | Updated 6:00 PM CST
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About 300 illegal immigrants were reported to the U.S. Border Patrol, far short of the 4,500 expected.
Gov. Rick Perry's border Web camera program is out of money after a first year that fell far short of the goals for arrests and reports of illegal crossings.
An internal report showed that just 17 of 200 cameras were installed with a $2 million federal grant obtained last year.
Reports obtained by the El Paso Times indicate that nearly 125,000 people registered as "virtual Texas deputies," but those eyes led to just eight drug busts and 11 arrests. The cameras were expected to generate 1,200 arrests.
About 300 illegal immigrants were reported to the U.S. Border Patrol, far short of the 4,500 expected.
Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition chief Don Reay said the goals were unrealistic.
Perry wants another $2 million for the project.
Copyright Associated Press
Posted Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 7:52 PM CST
