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June 22, 2001 U.S. and Mexico Pledge to Expand SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Vowing to do everything possible to reduce migrant deaths and injuries, high-level officials from the United States and Mexico today outlined new measures to enhance both countries’ lifesaving capabilities along California’s international border. Among those steps is a plan by the San Diego Border Patrol Sector to pilot the use of air-powered pepperball launchers as an additional form of non-lethal force for its agents. The measure was one of several agreed to during the past two days as part of binational consultations held in El Centro and San Diego. Other initiatives included the deployment of additional resources to high-risk crossing areas, such as the All-American Canal, and closer binational collaboration on mapping and electronic communications. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who attended high-level binational meetings last month in Mexico, expressed the Administration’s continuing support of expanded border safety measures. “Our commitment to promoting a safe and orderly border extends to trying new approaches,” said Ashcroft. “I’m very encouraged by the progress that has been made during these local border meetings and commend the efforts of everyone involved.” National Border Patrol Chief Gus De La Viña added, “Innovative ideas are vital for enhancing safety along our shared border. As long as we remain open to new ideas, we will continue to make progress in ensuring a safe and secure border.” The pepperball launchers are designed to provide agents with another means to respond to violent situations, such as rock attacks, potentially avoiding the need for deadly force. During a break in this morning’s meeting, U.S. and Mexican officials stepped outside to view a demonstration of the technology, which is already in widespread use by law enforcement agencies nationwide. The launchers employ compressed air to fire plastic pellets containing a powdered, hot pepper-like chemical (oleoresin capsicum). The pellets burst on impact causing irritation of the nose, eyes, and mouth. “These devices are yet another tool our agents will be able to use to deal with violent and potentially dangerous situations,” said INS Western Regional Director Johnny Williams. “The launch of this pilot further underscores the scope of our commitment to border safety.” As part of the year-long pilot project, which will begin immediately, the San Diego Sector plans to deploy 45 of the pepperball launchers. All of the officers participating in the pilot have received special training and certification on their use. During the test period, the Sector will keep detailed records on the effectiveness and durability of the devices. The decision to go ahead with the pilot supports the Border Patrol’s aim to provide agents with an array of non-lethal options to defuse violent situations. Already, Border Patrol agents are equipped with batons and pepper spray, but those devices are only effective at relatively close range. The primary advantage of the pepperball pellets is that they can be used both at close range and at distances up to 100 feet. We believe this device represents a significant advance for border safety,” said William Veal, Chief of the San Diego Sector Border Patrol. “We will be watching closely as the pilot progresses, but we hope to reduce the risks not only for migrants, but for our officers as well.” Another measure to come out of the meetings is a binational agreement to designate the All-American Canal and New River in Imperial County as “high-risk zones” for migrants. Both delegations agreed that one of the keys to reducing those risks is heightened surveillance. During the meetings, INS officials outlined plans to channel more resources into these areas, including the installation of 100 additional permanent lights along the banks of the All-American Canal. The new lights, together with those already in place, will enable the agency to illuminate more than ten miles of the canal. In addition to the new lighting, the El Centro Border Patrol has just received 20 additional all-terrain vehicles, more than doubling its existing fleet. The vehicles will be used by agents to patrol the banks of the canal as well as remote, rugged sections of the desert. Beyond that, the two delegations pledged to work jointly on other safety enhancing initiatives including the mapping of high-risk areas, the exchange of intelligence information relating to migrant smuggling at area ports of entry, and improved electronic communications capabilities between officers from the two countries. Both delegations also agreed on the need for additional binational training to enhance the effectiveness of future joint rescue efforts. The training will focus on skills ranging from mountain rescues to emergency medical techniques. Much of that training will be overseen by members of the Border Patrol’s Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team. Given the success of the BORSTAR teams in the Tucson and San Diego Sectors, Williams announced that the BORSTAR program is being expanded to four other southern border sectors, including Yuma and El Centro. Later this month, 50 Border Patrol agents from across the Southwest will take part in search and rescue training being held in Southern California. These agents will then return to their sectors to help establish local search and rescue programs. Another crucial facet of the border safety effort is raising prospective migrants’ awareness about the dangers they may encounter crossing the border. At the meeting, the two delegations committed to work closely on future public information campaigns to improve the effectiveness of outreach efforts. In the meantime, the Border Patrol distributed copies of the agency’s newest Spanish-language public service announcements warning migrants about the risks of trusting smugglers and the dangers of traveling in unsafe and overloaded smuggling vehicles. One of those spots features two men who were rescued by the Border Patrol after a smuggler abandoned them in the Arizona desert. Both men vow never to trust a smuggler again. - INS - |
Last Modified 02/20/2003