Nearly one-third of the cameras in Border Patrol’s primary surveillance system along the southern U.S. border are currently nonfunctional, according to an internal memo obtained by NBC News.
The memo indicates that out of approximately 500 cameras mounted on surveillance towers along the U.S.-Mexico border, around 150 are inoperative due to a variety of technical issues, according to NBC News. Officials, speaking under the condition of anonymity, cited old equipment and a backlog of repair requests as primary reasons for the widespread camera failures.
Since their inception in 2011, the malfunctioning cameras of the Remote Video Surveillance Systems have been crucial in enabling Border Patrol to effectively monitor extensive border regions without the need for significant ground personnel, the outlet reported. Despite recent repair efforts, more than 150 camera repair requests remain unresolved, leading to surveillance gaps in key border sectors and heightening safety and security concerns in areas without visual monitoring.
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 installed about 300 new towers equipped with advanced technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, NBC News reported. A CBP spokesperson emphasized that these upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernize border surveillance and reduce reliance on manual monitoring by agents.
The internal memo also pointed fingers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency responsible for servicing and repairing the camera systems, accusing it of failing to meet the Border Patrol’s needs effectively, NBC reported. Border Patrol leadership is considering replacing the FAA with a private contractor that could potentially offer more reliable technical support for the surveillance cameras.
The breakdown in camera functionality and the subsequent repair delays have led to calls for increased funding and resources as the Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly requested additional funds from Congress to restore and upgrade surveillance systems along the border, NBC News reported.
The FAA and CBP did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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