Approximately one-third of the cameras utilized in the Border Patrol’s main surveillance system along the southern U.S. border are currently inoperative, as revealed by an internal memo acquired by NBC News. The document states that out of roughly 500 cameras installed on surveillance towers along the U.S.-Mexico border, about 150 are nonfunctional due to various technical difficulties. Officials, who requested anonymity, attributed the widespread camera malfunctions to outdated equipment and a backlog of repair requests.
Since their introduction in 2011, the malfunctioning cameras of the Remote Video Surveillance Systems have played a vital role in allowing Border Patrol to monitor vast border areas without relying heavily on ground personnel, according to the report. Despite recent attempts to address these issues, over 150 repair requests for cameras remain pending, resulting in surveillance deficiencies in critical border sectors and raising safety and security concerns in regions lacking visual oversight.
Exclusive: Nearly one-third of the cameras in the Border Patrol’s primary surveillance system along the southern U.S. border are not working, according to an internal agency memo sent in early October. https://t.co/Rxyhf61sEs
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 14, 2024
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reportedly deployed approximately 300 new towers featuring cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, according to NBC News. A spokesperson for CBP highlighted that these enhancements are part of a comprehensive initiative aimed at modernizing border surveillance and decreasing dependence on manual monitoring by agents.
Additionally, an internal memo has criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency tasked with servicing and maintaining the camera systems, for not adequately addressing the needs of the Border Patrol, as reported by NBC. The leadership of Border Patrol is contemplating the possibility of replacing the FAA with a private contractor that may provide more dependable technical support for the surveillance equipment.
The malfunctioning of the cameras and the resulting delays in repairs have prompted demands for increased funding and resources, as the Department of Homeland Security has consistently sought additional financial support from Congress to restore and enhance surveillance systems along the border, according to NBC News.
