Build that Fence

Build that Fence

The current president of the United States seems pretty determined to build a wall along the southern border of this county. And, it should not surprise any of us that this is also a goal of the administration. Donald J. Trump talked about this often and with passion during his campaign to the White House.

The Chinese tried the Great Wall, which isolated their country for hundreds of years. The wall was meant to serve as protection from warring northern tribes. Today, the wall is a tourist attraction. Maybe Mr. Trump has a valid point for down the road a few years.

Over the past several months I’ve had thoughts about this proposal that is meant to halt immigration, legal or not.

Go back three decades to when then-President Ronald Reagan went to Germany for political interests. As he stood at the Brandenburg Gate, June 12, 1987, and addressed the crowd, the hallmark of his speech was directed to Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev to, “Tear down this wall.” Reagan had asked the same question five years earlier when he suggested that he ask the Soviets, why the wall was still there in the first place.

Now, 30 years later, current president Donald J. Trump is saying, to build that wall, separating the United States from neighbor and ally, Mexico.

Some of that wall has been built, about one-third, or 650 miles. The cost eight years ago was up to $4 million per mile, even though most of it is a fence, rather than the wall Trump so animatedly talked about. Some of that fence has fallen into disrepair, and there are many who take their chances to enter the United States illegally.

There is a better way than to build a wall and spend money that neither this county nor our neighbors to the south have to spend. The solution is simple; increase security and implement better technology and solutions. Train and hire more border agents who can stem the tide of illegal immigrants and the flow of illegal drugs into this country.

Security products and solutions need security professionals in order to understand how they work and why, as well as getting the best results. Border enforcement officials have been telling Trump’s transition team that a wall alone is not enough. You also need agents, camera towers, stadium lights and sensors. If the president insists on a “great wall” to deliver on his campaign promise, Customs and Border Protection has identified 400 miles where the current fence can be extended or reinforced.

But, there are clearly sections where it remains impractical. For instance, the border fence stops at a gnarly mountain range at Otay Mesa, Calif., about 15 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. The view here is open country; no dividing line.

I’m neither for or against the wall that President Trump proposes. It doesn’t impact my daily life. What does impact my day-today thoughts is how best security and technology can be implemented to save lives and property. Before committing to the wall, is it something that should never have been built in the first place, or will it simply become a tourist attraction years down the road?

This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.