We've all become quite discouraged by the lack of accountability in the testing of the "virtual fence". Although the experts have declared it totally flawed in design, and unlikely to ever function, Homeland Security is now set to accept the system from Boeing. No announcement has been made about the expansion of the string of towers beyond the initial 28 mile stretch. Anyone with ideas about how to continue expressing our concerns, please chime in!
Previous Posts
Our community has hosted a number of news organizations. The Secure Border Initiative Project 28 (SBInet) is now being referenced as the "Virtual Fence", and it is closely tied to efforts for immigration reform in Congress. As news emerges that Boeing failed to disclose problems to Congress until the day after a recent oversight committee meeting, and that the project's operation date has been postponed indefinitely, more interest is developing in this conflict between privacy and "security". The story continues to develop. . .
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Articles (most recent up top)
High Tech Network Could Fall Prey to CyberAttacks, July 6, 2007
"Virtual Fence" conflicts reported in the New York Times, June 26, 2007
CNN broadcast live from Arivaca on June 25th, 2007
US News & World Report Article on June 17th, 2007
Read an article by a local resident ~
SBInet First Strike ~ Towers, Traffic and a Town
Sylvia Moreno's article for the Washington Post
"For Residents of Arizona Border Town, Towers Are Unwelcome Eyes in the Sky"
And, see her video featuring Arivaca residents here:
If you need to get up to speed on the basics, click to read the article
"The End of the Line: Arivaca and the Strategic Border Initiative"
For a timeline of Project 28 activities in Arivaca, and a long-time resident's reflections,
Arivaca and Project 28 by C Hues
A report on the 4/30/07 meeting at the Arivaca Community Center~
"Arivaca's First Community Meeting on Project 28"
On May 15th, a second meeting was held at the Arivaca Community Center. Border Patrol officials attempted to answer questions raised on 4/30/07. They were kind enough to share their notes for the meeting. Border Patrol Responses
Also, read Dr. Richard Conway's analysis of the placement of the "Arivaca Tower"
And, read "The Current Uses of the "Preferred" Site for the "Arivaca Tower",
by Town Historian Mary Kasulaitis
Several community members have recently had discussions with the technology writer from the Wall Street Journal. He confirmed that the price tag for the entire SBInet project "virtual fence" is now estimated at $30 billion. Wow! No wonder Boeing is pushing ahead! He also said that in a conversation with Boeing they told him that they expect their towers to be accepted just like cell phone towers. . .
