Best case scenario- elected officials, public agencies, & a free and independent press work together to keep people informed.
This concept has completely broken down Re: the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles.
The Port Angeles Border Patrol Story-
The US Border Patrol at Port Angeles has stopped 2 people from illegally crossing into the US. That incident took place more than 2 years ago.
May 31st, 2010-
Two amphibious Canadian marijuana smugglers are captured on a remote Olympic Peninsula beach by the US Border Patrol.
Still no justification provided by elected officials or the US Border Patrol for an upgrade in staff requiring a new $11.9 million, 50 agent facility at Port Angeles- an area sharing no land border with Canada.
Energy is high- Questioning the Border Patrol in 2008-
Energy is low- Questioning the Border Patrol in 2012-
Our free and independent press recently informed us on Olympic Peninsula US Border Patrol operations.
The article reads like paid advertising or something produced by US Border Patrol public relations.
Most of the photos used in the article were provided by the federal government.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-
Suspicionless checkpoints ended on the Olympic Peninsula in 2008. Suspicionless bus boardings ended in November, 2011.
If Olympic Peninsula USBP operations are being downsized, why have local USBP personnel numbers been upsized?
Port Angeles Border Patrol whistleblower-
Border Patrol agent says Port Angeles ‘Black Hole’
More than a year later-
Oct 2012 update:
GAP Praises Successful OSC Mediation for Border Patrol Whistleblower
“The whistleblower, Christian Sanchez, was stationed at a Port Angeles, Washington office staffed by over 40 employees – an office where there was insufficient work for the prior crew of four.”
Agency in question makes an inside deal- like negotiating a record contract or signing an NFL quarterback-
Deal results in further suppression of information.
Oversight? Checks and balances?
Reporters asking questions? Not a chance-
Zero reporting on the following questions:
Are fraudulent overtime claims the norm at Port Angeles?
Does the practice still continue?
How long did it go on?
Our Washington State Patrol opened a criminal investigation in a similar case:
Ex-trooper charged with official misconduct for overtime pay
Secret arrest statistics and the denied FOIA request.
March 2011- Local paper submits FOIA request for USBP arrest numbers to justify new 50 agent station. FOIA request denied. FOIA appeal denied.
Imagine a school district wanting to expand staff and facilities and, at the same time- suppressing public information Re: the number of students enrolled, teachers on staff and number of students graduated in the past 36 months.
“…the Border Patrol has refused to divulge the number of agents in Port Angeles…”
Local law enforcement agencies set the example in sharing public information with the public.
Compare the Port Angeles Police Dept. to the US Border Patrol.
What is a Border Patrol sector?
The civic units of measure familiar to Americans are states, cities and counties.
The US Border Patrol is broken up into sectors- which are arbitrary federal zones- confusing by design.
The State of Washington is served by two Border Patrol sectors- Spokane Sector & Blaine Sector.
Look for reports that provide USBP arrest statistics for sectors- not stations. This reporting format makes it difficult for the public to understand what is going on at the Port Angeles US Border Patrol station.
Don’t look for local journalists to question this manipulation of public information.
The people of Erie, PA did not have to submit a FOIA request to find out what justified the expansion of their local Border Patrol station-
No public information/security conflict at the U.S. Border Patrol station (not sector) in Erie, PA.
Erie Station- similar to Port Angeles in that it is separated from Canada by water.
Note: reports of the expansion at Erie include numbers of arrests out of that station:
“The Border Patrol operations in Erie, nearly six years old, include more than 30 agents who apprehended 588 illegal immigrants in fiscal year 2008-09.”
“The Border Patrol’s apprehensions in the Erie area have grown steadily, from 332 in fiscal 2006-2007 to 588 in 2008-09 to 305 so far in 2009-10.
Of those apprehended so far this fiscal year, 136 were individuals found by other law enforcement agencies and turned over to the Border Patrol.”
Even more secretive-
Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine agents, stationed in Port Angeles
Has any arrest ever been made by this unit?
Twice in recent months- a CBP helicopter has assisted in tracking a local fugitive:
Sheriff: Man who gunned down sex offenders said it ‘had to be done’
UPDATE: Manhunt west of Port Angeles seeks man after shot fired this morning
Word of US Border Patrol involvement in the above incidents was immediately released to the public.
Why is the public told that USBP arrest statistics involving the US/Canada border must remain secret?
When was the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol used a helicopter to successfully prevent any person from illegally entering the US?
How many helicopters are in the CBP unit that serves Port Angeles?
The US Navy provides similar info Re: submarines assigned in Kitsap County.
Discuss on facebook
Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol timeline here.
Possibly of interest:
Photo- Early winter morning at Point Wilson Light