Live, virtual border-watch program goes back online

[darrels joy]

AUSTIN - Anyone, anywhere with a computer and a desire to protect the U.S.-Mexico border - or be a bit of a voyeur - can now get online and become a "Virtual Texas Deputy" by watching live streaming footage of the borderland.


The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition and the social network BlueServo.
net on Thursday launched the Internet border surveillance program that Gov. Rick Perry has been trying to get off the ground since 2006.

And with $2 million in grant money from Perry and what BlueServo hopes is a high volume of Web hits that generate advertising dollars, the company also has aims to expand the program beyond the border to create a virtual neighborhood watch social network.

"It's critical we leverage technology to help secure the border, and this virtual watch program is a key component to the governor's overall border security program," Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle said.


Perry announced plans to spend $5 million and put hundreds of cameras on the border during his re- election campaign in 2006 but had been unable to get the program going.

Sheriff's Coalition executive director Don Reay said Perry's office came to the group to see whether it could find a less expensive way to get the cameras going. The group has been working since June to launch the program, he said.

Perry gave the Sheriff's Coalition a $2 million grant, and the coalition contracted with BlueServo to operate the technology.
"The goal in the long run is that the public side of that Web site will eventually pay for this whole program through advertising," Reay said.


BlueServo will sell advertising, and under the contract will keep some of the money as profit and use the rest to run the border-watch Web site, he said.

In addition to advertisements, Virtual Texas Deputies will be able to view live footage from at least 10 cameras along the border. Reay said the number and locations of the cameras were being kept secret for security reasons.

When a virtual deputy spots suspicious activity, he or she can send an e-mail with the information.

That e-mail will go to BlueServo, which will forward the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency, Reay said.

"What it really does is very much like a high-tech neighborhood watch program, if you will," he said.

Before the official launch of the site, he said, it had already gotten 70 hits.

According to the Web site, www.BlueServo.net, plans are to take the program beyond the border.

Users will be able to connect their own surveillance cameras to the site "to create local Virtual Neighborhood Watches" in order to protect their own homes, neighborhoods, and families from criminal acts," the Web site says.

"It is a well-established fact that citizen involvement in community watch programs such as this one reduces crime," the site says.

Through a spokesman, El Paso County Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca said the border Web cameras would help prevent crime.

"Together, members of the community, law enforcement and technology will work together in an effort to deter criminal activity," Apodaca said.

Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com; 512-479-6606.