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

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.