TUCSON, Ariz. , April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- American Border Patrol, a non-profit 501 c (3) Arizona Corporation will hold a live demonstration of its Operation Virtual Vigilance (http://www.virtualvolunteers.net/) Internet camera system at a press conference in Tucson tomorrow, April 22 . Attendees will be given the opportunity to operate the cameras themselves. Both color and thermal cameras will be used in the demonstration. The cameras are located on ABP's ranch on the Mexican border in Southeastern Arizona , a major smuggling corridor.
Citizens called "virtual volunteers" presently operate the cameras from states all across the nation, aiding in many apprehensions of illegal aliens.
A leader in the use of technology on the border, ABP pioneered the concept of Internet-based border surveillance cameras in 2005. (www.americanpatrol.com/05-FEATURES/050919-BDR-CAM-COMING/050919_Feature.html) The State of Texas is now developing a similar system. Together these systems could provide verification of border control called for by people such as presidential candidate Senator John McCain .
ABP also pioneered the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, on the border. DHS now operates three Predator B UAVs on the border in Arizona .
ABP will show how a type of "virtual fence" could be developed at a cost far below that projected by the Department of Homeland Security.
Time: 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 Place: Tucson Marriott University Park 800 E Second Street Tucson, AZ 85719SOURCE American Border Patrol
