Virtual Border Watch

[Zoom-boing]

This has been around since late 2008 but it's new to me.

The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition (TBSC) has instituted the Texas Virtual Border Watch Program to enlist the public's assistance in preventing crime along the Texas-Mexico border. This initiative provides real-time streaming video over a web-based network to enable the public to report suspicious activity to the appropriate law enforcement agency via email. Day and night surveillance cameras have been placed strategically throughout the border region to deny drug and human smugglers unobserved access to the U.S. by placing high-threat areas under public surveillance. The numbers and locations of these cameras will constantly change based on threat. To view the Texas Virtual Border Watch cameras, the public can visit the BlueServo website.

'A significant number of Texas landowners who live and work along the border have requested cameras to be placed on their property. This initiative advances the concept of a neighborhood watch by leveraging the latest surveillance technology to create a 'virtual' neighborhood watch program," said Arvin West, Hudspeth County Sheriff and 1st Vice President of the TBSC. "By putting more eyes on the Texas-Mexico border, law enforcement can better protect our state from powerful and ruthless Mexican crime cartels and violent transnational gangs."

"It is a well-known fact that public involvement in community watch programs reduces crime," said TBSC Executive Director Donald L. Reay. "Texas Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Border Sheriffs recognize the value of leveraging technology, public-private partnerships and the public to protect Texans."

Gov. Perry has provided $2 million in Criminal Justice grant funds to the TBSC for this initiative. Working with local law enforcement agencies, the State of Texas conducted a test in November 2006 to assess video camera capabilities and public interest in reporting suspicious activities observed over the Internet. Twenty-one cameras were used during a four-week pilot period, resulting in over 27,940,119 hits and 2,780 reports of suspicious activity.

More info at link. 21 cameras to monitor.

BlueServo

 

[Lonestar_logic]

A friend of mine that ranches near Eagle Pass has requested a camera be placed on his property.

 

[hortysir]

very cool link, Zoom!

 

[Nate]

The only problem with sites like this is that we're not the only ones who can look at them and take note on the locations of these cameras.

 

[hortysir]

The only problem with sites like this is that we're not the only ones who can look at them and take note on the locations of these cameras.

That crossed my mind as well as the fact that it's not very hard to spot a camera, up on a pole, in the middle of an open range