Texas Virtual Border Watch
Encyclopedia
The Texas Virtual Border Watch is a pilot program created by the State of Texas
that allows individuals with internet access to observe and report on the Texas-Mexico border via their computers. On June 1, 2006 Texas Governor Rick Perry
announced 5 million dollars to be used with the voluntary participation of private land owners to install the cameras.
The trial version of the Texas Virtual Border Watch received 2,780 reports of suspicious activity before November 2008. The site has attracted participation from individuals around the world, including Australian pub patrons. Users range from those who want to help stop illegal drug traffic and illegal immigration
across the border to those simply looking for "something to do".
From November 2008 to February 2009, the program has been credited for four busts yielding 1,500 pounds of marijuana, and 30 incidents where illegal immigrants were repelled.
It is funded by the Texas governor's criminal justice office, at a cost of $2 million in its first year. The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition (TBSC) instituted the program with BlueServo Inc. to provide the free service.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
that allows individuals with internet access to observe and report on the Texas-Mexico border via their computers. On June 1, 2006 Texas Governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
announced 5 million dollars to be used with the voluntary participation of private land owners to install the cameras.
The trial version of the Texas Virtual Border Watch received 2,780 reports of suspicious activity before November 2008. The site has attracted participation from individuals around the world, including Australian pub patrons. Users range from those who want to help stop illegal drug traffic and illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
across the border to those simply looking for "something to do".
From November 2008 to February 2009, the program has been credited for four busts yielding 1,500 pounds of marijuana, and 30 incidents where illegal immigrants were repelled.
It is funded by the Texas governor's criminal justice office, at a cost of $2 million in its first year. The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition (TBSC) instituted the program with BlueServo Inc. to provide the free service.