Archives for category: Secret arrest statistics

Political parties and personalities are not as interesting as what stays the same no matter who is elected to office.

Suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings for your freedoms:

Dec. 17, 2019 High Country News

Spokane vs. the Border Patrol

“The bus station is owned by the city of Spokane, which rents the land out to Greyhound and some regional bus companies. None of the buses that stop there are arriving from Canada.”

“Agents have arrested 71 people at the Spokane bus depot this year, more than twice as many as they averaged in prior years. None were “alien” smugglers or drug traffickers, as the Spokane Sector’s press office admitted in an interview.”

They’re treating Spokane like it’s a border town, which it’s not.”

“…statistics are hard to come by. The Border Patrol’s Spokane sector doesn’t regularly publicize the arrests they make, citing “privacy” concerns.”

 

Is the immigration enforcement crackdown, hassling people at bus stations and requiring REAL ID at the airport at all relevant in keeping cartels from moving product into hometown, USA?

Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:

Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?

Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.

 

In 2008, the US Border Patrol came to Jefferson County, WA and set up suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry.

At a local Border Patrol forum a lady asked:

“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”

US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.

Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.

Question about providing ID is at 0:35

Checkpoints ended here in 2008- possibly due to well-informed citizens and local protests. Looks like they weren’t vital to national security after all.

State and local law enforcement agencies do not conduct suspicionless checkpoints in Washington State.

Check your state here.

 

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 9 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Possibly of interest-

Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger–a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin

If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:

 

Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?

Port Angeles CBP arrest statistics are secret:

March 19, 2014 Sequim Gazette

Agent counters allegations of ‘boredom’

“In March, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Richard Sinks declined to release statistics on apprehensions or detainments made by the Port Angeles station.”

“Disclosure of the arrest statistics from the Port Angeles station would provide those interested in crossing our borders illegally with information that could aid their strategic targeting of potentially vulnerable areas along the border,” he said in an e-mail. “To maintain operational security these numbers will not be provided.”

Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.

What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?

Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:

“Our #WSP District 8 troopers removed 1,429 impaired drivers from the roads in 2018.”

“Here is a breakdown of what it looks like in each of our 7 counties.”

Elsewhere, when CBP has something to brag about-the public is promptly notified:

Border Patrol K-9 Sniffs out Cocaine Hidden in Dashboard

Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggler on I-8

Border Patrol Agent’s Public Safety Check Turns into Heroin Bust

 

More questions newspeople will not ask:

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

 

Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin?

Even one time?

 

Is local CBP staffing and infrastructure at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering Port Angeles, Clallam County, the Olympic Peninsula, or the Puget Sound area?

 

Newspeople,

Why did the Blaine Sector Weekly US Border Patrol blotter go extinct?

When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?

Any arrests connected to cross-border maritime traffic?

When local USBP staffing went from four to 42 agents, what increase in arrests and apprehensions was achieved?

 

Suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry:

Did the use of these checkpoints in Jefferson and Clallam Counties result in the seizure of any inbound heroin or meth?

 

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping meth and heroin away from the Puget Sound area?

2011-

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

2013-

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

2015-

Port Angeles residents fed up with heroin problem

2017-

“Residents who filled the Port Angeles City Council chambers and lobby Tuesday night said they were fed up with the heroin epidemic in Clallam County and asked what is being done to stop opioid abuse and what they can do to help.”

2019-

KING 5 News

Jail staff are now using medication to help addicts detox from heroin while in custody.”

Peninsula Daily News

Clallam health official: Narcan helping to cut overdose deaths

“About half of the overdoses have been from prescription drugs, not heroin, she said.” What about the other half?

 

Zero questions from newspeople:

Local meth news stories here.

Local heroin news stories here.

Plenty of questions here:

Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree

 

Whidbey Island

Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat

Back in 2014:

Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:

Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”

“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”

Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?

Newspeople remain silent.

 

Patrol boats fail to keep bad guys from moving product into Bremerton and Port Angeles:

July 5, 2109 Kitsap Sun

Detectives seize over $900,000 worth of drugs in Bremerton bust

July 5, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Two arrested, heroin and methamphetamine seized at Port Angeles motels

July 6, 2019 Peninsula Daily News

Sheriff’s Office: Port Angeles man arrested with more than $11,000 in narcotics

 

US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth from entering the Puget Sound area:

Drowning in Meth

Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Every 12 months, the US Department of Homeland Security gets another $40 billion in taxpayer funds.

If the drug war excuse now, is that migrant surges are diverting attention away from cartel traffic-remember that heroin was a problem in US communities prior to the recent migrant surges. Heroin is still here and now meth has taken hold.

Related:

Call It What It Is – Opioid Crisis Scam Update

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

Lazy Newspeople and the Opioid Crisis

Port Angeles Drug War Covered By Press Release

Press Plays The Role of Armed Forces & Homeland Security Public Affairs Staff

Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Racket Rolls On

Federal Facial Recognition Out At The Airport

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

 

 

Photo- Watching the waves over at Fort Ebey

 

DSCN4652“Barnes says the heroin comes straight up I-5 from Mexico and is one of the cheapest drugs out there.”

 

Why hasn’t The Dept. of Homeland Security & the surveillance society been able to keep heroin out of Port Angeles?

County-by-county overdose deaths in WA

County  2000-2002 deaths  2009-2011 deaths

Clallam                17                              30

Seems like Clallam County would have an advantage in keeping heroin out.

Port Angeles is home to a new $11.9 million, 50 agent US Border Patrol facility.

 

Heroin-

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from the Olympic Peninsula?

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

What sort of ID is required to prove innocence away from border crossings and ports of entry?

Special ID cards make it virtually impossible for those who wish to do harm or violate U.S. laws to move heroin into Port Angeles.

 

Local history-

May, 2013

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer’s town hall meeting:

“He also urged beefed-up border security.”

The Border Patrol at Port Angeles has made no arrest linked to the US/Canada border in more than 3 years.

Massing agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca fails to keep heroin out of Port Angeles:

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

Five suspected heroin-overdose emergencies at Port Angeles in the past 10 days.

Seventh suspected or confirmed heroin overdose that Port Angeles this month.

 

Sequim-

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.

See local Real Estate section:

Patrolling the nation’s borders – the Real Estate section?

More from the same local paper:

‘A gateway to death’

Heroin: Sequim’s drug of choice

Don’t worry-

The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe-

 

Border Patrol arrest statistics at Port Angeles are secret.

Denied FOIA requests-

“The Border Patrol has refused repeated requests by the Peninsula Daily News — including those made under the Freedom of Information Act — for arrest totals for the Port Angeles station, which covers a territory that includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.”

No secret arrests here:

Cops Bust Woman With 34,500 Bags of Heroin

 

Much recent talk about whistleblowers.

A local Border Patrol whistleblower had something to say about the Port Angeles Border Patrol station.

The whistleblower investigation resulted in further suppression of information. A proper investigation will reveal the truth- where is the report?

Result-

The agent was transferred.

The public did not reach an honest understanding of public policy.

Newspeople never followed up.

 

Some will say- if the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles was left alone to do its job- priorities would be properly addressed.

Under the old rules- to include suspicionless checkpoints & bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry, language interpretation for the US Forest Service, language translation for local law enforcement agencies, and full, pre-sequestration funding- has the Border Patrol at Port Angeles stopped any heroin from entering the US?

This is not a new concern:

August 28, 2011-

‘Uptick’ in heroin use seen on North Olympic Peninsula

 

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists.

The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50

Think terrorists are smart enough to pose as heroin traffickers- then cross into the US free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, etc.

Maybe it’s time for investigative journalists to make appointments, schedule interviews and ask some questions. Suggested topics here: News tip/story idea

If no answers are available, please do a story describing the working relationship you have with the Washington State Patrol, local sheriffs departments and city police departments. Any denied FOIA requests generated by these agencies?  Please compare to the Border Patrol at Port Angeles.

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-

 

Related:

A very serious War on Terror

The legal drug dealers sold 371 tons of pills to people who did not need them-

Possibly of interest:

The Garage Sale Incident

Discuss on facebook here, or here.

 

 

Photo Crescent Beach

 

DSC_0002_005

A complete version of the truth would answer most questions.

 

US Border Patrol- secret arrest statistics on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

Nov 2011- “The report is always limited to one page regardless of the number of arrests made, includes only those arrests selected by the agency for public release and does not include apprehensions that result in ongoing investigations.”

Sounds like something out of the Soviet Union.

A free and independent press plays no role here in questioning public policy- simply passing down dictates from above.

So, if this guy is arrested it might be done in secret if the one page report is already full, the arrest is not selected by the agency for public release or is an apprehension that results in an ongoing investigation?

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-

 

More here:

Secret arrest statistics are un-American

Some comments following this article support US Border Patrol secrecy:

Border Patrol’s new translation policy called good first step

Related:

Positive Examples in Law Enforcement

More here:

A Very Effective Information Suppression Campaign

 

Puget Sound ferries and the War on Terror-

“Photos can’t be snapped in pilothouse or engine room, which Markey visited on the way back to Seattle.”

Pilothouse photo here

Engine room photo here

Harpist on Port Townsend-Keystone ferry silenced after 17 years

“State ferries officials say they had no choice but to fairly enforce security policies that were stepped up in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the East Coast on Sept. 11, 2001.”

Security policies?

The Washington State Patrol uses dogs to check vehicles at some ferry terminals on some days. Walk-on passengers are not checked at any terminal- at any time.

More here:

If You See Something, Say Something?

 

Puget Sound port security-

Doublespeak?

July, 2012-

Port security: U.S. fails to meet deadline for scanning of cargo containers

April, 2006-

“CBP screens 100 percent of all maritime containers that pose a risk for terrorism at foreign ports before they are shipped to the United States.”

If a 100% screening was conducted at the foreign port- how did human cargo make it to downtown Seattle?

More here:

Making sense of the War on Terror-

 

What sort of ID is required to prove innocence away from border crossings and ports of entry?

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.” 

“But another audience member noted that her husband, while fishing, was checked out in one day by the Coast Guard, state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol.

“That seems ridiculous if all you’re doing is fishing,” she said.”

More here:

Suspicionless local ID checks?

 

Drug War-

“While testifying under oath, Officer Michael Reichert admits to planting drugs or drug scents on cars in hotel parking lots for K9 “training” without notifying the owners.”

 

Background:

 

Sensitive Dept. of Homeland Security documents released to the public at a garage sale-

Question to ask:

How do sensitive DHS documents leave the workplace without being signed out for official business?

“We would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations for their hard work, commitment and dedication to this case” said Chief Patrol Agent John Bates of the U.S. Border Patrol, Blaine Sector.

More here:

The Garage Sale Incident

 

Suspicionless checkpoints on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula- away from border crossings and ports of entry-

2008-

“Federal law allows the border patrol to conduct the checkpoints and stop and talk with any motorist and passenger of any vehicle, said Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Joseph Giuliano.”

“No cause is needed to converse with anyone in the car,” Giuliano said. “Zero, zilch.”

A month later-

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists.

The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50

At that same forum a lady asked:

“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”

US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.

Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.

Question about providing ID is at 0:35

 

The mysterious practice of federal officers conducting “traffic stops” on US Highway 101-

Why was the vehicle stopped?

Related:

Video collection- DHS checkpoints

More here:

A series of setbacks- Port Angeles Border Patrol

 

At the state level-

Marijuana DUI planning-

With pot legal, police worry about road safety

“We’ve had decades of studies and experience with alcohol,” said Washington State Patrol spokesman Dan Coon. “Marijuana is new, so it’s going to take some time to figure out how the courts and prosecutors are going to handle it. But the key is impairment: We will arrest drivers who drive impaired, whether it be drugs or alcohol.”

Marijuana is new?

Nonsense.

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

Has I-692 caused problems on the highways?

If this is an honest concern- what has the state been waiting on?

People have been able to get behind the wheel after using marijuana for decades.

This would remain so- even if recreational use of marijuana never became legal.

More here:

Marijuana is new? Washington State DUI testing plans-

 

 

Photo- A symbol of freedom & federal government credibility

 

Insists on dividing people up into groups– then assigning a separate value to each group.

 

Cheers on military forces that are not in the habit of winning decades of undeclared wars in distant lands.

Credits The Troops with defending American rights and freedoms- as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

 

Stopped supporting a draft a long time ago.

 

Spends money on gunboat escorts for ferries on Puget Sound while terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry.

 

Spends months promoting the idea of buying stuff to celebrate Christmas.

 

Brags about freedom- then goes with a control freak approach on individual liberty.

 

Lies about the stories associated with federal holidays.

Celebrates independence from a powerful central government.

Tries to make people feel guilty for not properly observing some federal holidays.

 

Talks about legalizing marijuana while including restrictions that leave prohibition and the drug war in place for adults age 18-20, those who want to grow a plant at home, possess more than an ounce, or possess marijuana from non-state sanctioned outlets.

 

Talks about placing high taxes on legal marijuana.

Dealers, traffickers and cartels are good with this idea.

 

Supports a Homeland Security police state that can’t keep heroin and cocaine out of the US.

 

Tolerates reporters who do not ask questions.

 

Tolerates politicians who lie about clean energy.

 

Supports a Drug War that places us all at risk.

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Ask yourself- why doesn’t the local car dealership have 42 sales people on staff?

Why doesn’t the local real estate office expand to a 50 agent facility?

 

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…”

 

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.

 

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.

 

More than a year has passed:

Port Angeles Border Patrol whistleblower- Investigation status unknown.

Oct 2012- Port Angeles Border Patrol- whistleblower 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.”

“In the settlement, Border Patrol admitted no wrongdoing and a spokesman says its representatives actively worked with Sanchez to find effective solutions to the situation.”

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.

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.

“Blaine Sector Border Patrol agents, who cover Alaska, Oregon and the western half of Washington state, made 591 arrests in 12 months, the agency announced last week in its annual nationwide arrest report.”

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.”

 

Discussions on local news web sites reveal an almost fetish-like concern Re: the arrest of illegal aliens- “WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND???”, etc.

Very little in the way of acknowledging that people are not illegally entering the US via the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The US Border Patrol has had success in capturing Central American immigrants in Forks- 1500 miles north of where they likely crossed into the US.

These arrests often involve mysterious traffic stops conducted by federal agents (see Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol timeline- bottom of page).

Don’t look for local reporters to ask why the vehicle was stopped.

 

If local arrests are not connected in any way to the US/Canada border- maybe every Port Angeles sized town- all across America- should have its own 50 agent US Border Patrol station?

 

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?

 

How are terrorists kept out while heroin comes in?

 

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.

 

Show of hands- how many smaller government folks are OK with having the Border Patrol around to act as a federal reserve force for local law enforcement agencies?

“Nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government authority over ordinary crimes. In America, crime fighting is the responsibility of state and local government. But despite the lack of constitutional authorization, federal policymakers continually try to involve themselves in crime fighting.”

Federal agents on hand to work local boat race event-

“The law enforcement contingent at Saturday’s race comprised three Port Angeles police officers, including Roggenbuck, one Clallam County sheriff’s deputy and two Border Patrol agents.

Roggenbuck said the Border Patrol agents, with training on all-terrain vehicles, were there to quickly traverse the uneven terrain of the park and surrounding land if the need arose.

“They’re able to get pretty much anywhere on the grounds that were are not,” Roggenbuck said.”

Federal agents on hand to investigate drug stash at storage unit

 

Discuss on facebook

Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol timeline here.

 

Possibly of interest:

The Garage Sale Incident

 

 

Photo- Mystery Bay scene

 

Welcome Home Troops

 

Several months ago, I found information posted by the DEA Re: heroin and cocaine availability in the US-

DEA-

“Today, traffickers operating from Colombia continue to control wholesale-level cocaine distribution throughout the heavily populated northeastern United States and along the eastern seaboard in cities such as Boston, Miami, Newark, New York, and Philadelphia.”

“Heroin is readily available in many U.S. cities as evidenced by the unprecedented high level of average retail, or street-level, purity. Criminals in four foreign source areas produce the heroin available in the United States: South America (Colombia), Southeast Asia (principally Burma), Mexico, and Southwest Asia/Middle East (principally Afghanistan).”

Looks like this info is no longer available on the DEA website.

 

Interesting that the DEA would post info indicating that they’ve got a big job to do. Over at DHS- the message is more like- we’ve got a handle on it all-

Never forget-

“…one vulnerability or gap anywhere across the globe has the ability to impact security thousands of miles away.”

Looks like some vulnerabilities and gaps are present here:

Law officers seize 26 pounds of cocaine in car stop near Bellingham

Oregon State Police have seized 55 pounds of heroin in a traffic stop on Interstate 5 north of Ashland

 

Meanwhile-

Grand opening of the $9.8 million, 50 agent US Border Patrol station at Port Angeles- access restricted “only to media with credentials and invited guests

This local story has been developing for years now. There has been plenty of time for people with the advantage of a press credential to schedule appointments, do interviews & ask questions. Unfortunately- local reporters are not in the habit of doing so.

 

 

Photo- Wooden Boat weekend at Port Townsend

 

DSCN5780

Perhaps four handguns could have saved thousands on 911?

Never Forget-

The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.

Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.

 

How are terrorists kept out while heroin comes in?

‘Uptick’ in heroin use seen on North Olympic Peninsula

Think terrorists are smart enough to pose as drug traffickers- then cross into the US free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, etc.

Domestic heroin busts are reported as some sort of law & order success-

Each one is evidence that- 11 years after 911– the US Dept. of Homeland Security is unable to prevent criminal traffic from entering the US.

 

Conspiracy Theory-

More information is better- this is how science and medicine works. Over the years some people have been freed from prison based on new DNA evidence becoming available.
Are the people who took steps to discover that new evidence conspiracy theorists?
Apply this same curiosity and desire for knowledge to some controversial topics and you’ll be labeled a conspiracy theorist.

Why the effort to suppress ideas?

 

 

 

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA-

Aug 2010-

A US Border Patrol spokesperson tells the press:

“Border Patrol spokeswoman Jenny Burke said Monday that the agency will not release any information on the number of arrests made by agents who work out of the Port Angeles station, the names of those arrested, what they were arrested for and the disposition of their cases”

“The number of arrests for Port Angeles’ or any other station is “law enforcement-sensitive,” Burke said.”

“The names of those arrested and other facts about them are not available for release under the 1974 Privacy Act, she said.”

 

Aug 2011-

“In March, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Richard Sinks declined to release statistics on apprehensions or detainments made by the Port Angeles station.”

“Disclosure of the arrest statistics from the Port Angeles station would provide those interested in crossing our borders illegally with information that could aid their strategic targeting of potentially vulnerable areas along the border,” he said in an e-mail. “To maintain operational security these numbers will not be provided.”

 

Sept 2012-

Denied FOIA requests-

“The Border Patrol has refused repeated requests by the Peninsula Daily News — including those made under the Freedom of Information Act — for arrest totals for the Port Angeles station, which covers a territory that includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.”

 

Arrest statistics are secret.

Secret arrest policy instantly lifted if something to brag about takes place.

CBP showcases apprehensions on their own web site. Does this report threaten national security?

Any other law enforcement agencies observing the do not report arrest numbers due to security reasons protocol?

No secret arrest statistics here

Did newspeople in the San Diego area place national security at risk by making this report?

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-

 

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…”

 

Perhaps the new USBP outreach program will take time to explain why- in the whole wide world of law enforcement work- does the Port Angeles US Border Patrol station tell us they can’t report arrests because that would help the bad guys- yet crimes handled by local law enforcement agencies & the FBI are reported as public information?

 

March 2011- Local paper submits FOIA request for USBP arrest numbers to justify new 50 agent station. FOIA request denied. FOIA appeal denied.

 

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.

“Blaine Sector Border Patrol agents, who cover Alaska, Oregon and the western half of Washington state, made 591 arrests in 12 months, the agency announced last week in its annual nationwide arrest report.”

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.”

 

Discuss on facebook here:

Local reporters will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Or here:

US Department of Credibility

 

 

 

Photo- Early winter morning at Point Wilson Light

 

Members of the free and independent press-

Please take a look at the new $9.8 million, 50 agent US Border Patrol station at Port Angeles, WA- an area sharing no land border with Canada.

A grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 14th.

 

Items of interest:

Still no justification provided by elected officials or the US Border Patrol for an upgrade in staff requiring the 50 agent facility.

 

Secret arrest statistics and a denied FOIA request-

Where else in law enforcement are arrest statistics kept secret? Not here.

Perhaps the new USBP outreach program will take time to explain why- in the whole wide world of law enforcement work- does the Port Angeles US Border Patrol station tell us they can’t report arrests because that would help the bad guys- yet crimes handled by local law enforcement agencies & the FBI are reported as public information?

 

Two total arrests involving cross-border traffic for the land and sea based Homeland Security forces stationed at Port Angeles.

More than a year later- what are the results of the whistleblower investigation Re: fraudulent overtime claims at the Port Angeles USBP station?

Olympic Peninsula reporters are not asking questions.

News links & documentation here

 

 

Photo- Point Hannon scene

 

Welcome Home Troops

 

On the national scene-

How are terrorists kept out while heroin comes in?

Why hasn’t the US Department of Homeland Security been able to stop cocaine and heroin from crossing into the US?

 

INVASION OF THE DRUG CARTELS

SOURCES: U.S. NATIONAL DRUG INTELLIGENCE CENTER REPORT 2011, THE U.S. NATIONAL SEIZURE SYSTEM, AND THE JUSTICE IN MEXICO PROJECT

 

The people who move heroin into N. America do so free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, etc.

 

If the federal government has the crime fighting skills to wipe out all major terror strikes since 911- why wouldn’t they use those skills to shut down other categories of violent crimes?

War on terror crime fighting tactics, the surveillance society, fusion centers, drones, license plate scanners, tracking cell phones, reading text messages- none of it appears to work to stop crimes like bank robbery or drug trafficking.

 

Hey VFW, Hey American Legion, Hey Joint Chiefs of Staff- love to get your take on all this.

Hey veterans- what’s going on here?

 

We all must do our part to keep the nation safe-

Video collection- DHS checkpoints

 

Urban Shield SWAT event- Preventing Terrorism Aim Of Operation ‘Urban Shield’

Preventing Terrorism?

More like reacting.

 

It will be easy to spot an attempted strike. Expect the bad guys to be sloppy- the packages they send will look like they were put together by drunken 3rd graders, or Wile E Coyote.

 

On Washington’s Olympic Peninsula-

Border Patrol checkpoints came to Jefferson County, WA in 2008.

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists.

The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50

At that same forum a lady asked:

“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”

US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.

Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.

Question about providing ID is at 0:35

 

Checkpoints ended here in 2008- possibly due to well informed citizens and local protests. Looks like they weren’t vital to national security after all.

War on Terror- credibility squandered.

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center

 

Does the Border Patrol host more events for children or adults?

When is the last time the US Border Patrol held a forum in Jefferson County- 2008?

 

Online Exclusive: Blaine Library hosts CBP helicopter meet and greet

Another event here

Maybe we can get a similar meet and greet over here on the Olympic Peninsula?

No need for the costly helicopter show and tell- maybe just a forum where adults could ask some of the questions local reporters never get around to dealing with.

See those questions here

The children already enjoyed a Port Angeles event.

Discuss on facebook here.

 

 

Photo- Mystery Bay, WA

 

 

US foreign policy goals and objectives are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.

 

Your vote is critical in this key election year.

 

Safety concerns require that arrest statistics must be kept secret.

Aug 2010-

A US Border Patrol spokesperson tells the press:

“Border Patrol spokeswoman Jenny Burke said Monday that the agency will not release any information on the number of arrests made by agents who work out of the Port Angeles station, the names of those arrested, what they were arrested for and the disposition of their cases”

“The number of arrests for Port Angeles’ or any other station is “law enforcement-sensitive,” Burke said.”

“The names of those arrested and other facts about them are not available for release under the 1974 Privacy Act, she said.”

 

The Department of Homeland Security is in the business of keeping terrorists out of the US.

‘Uptick’ in heroin use seen on North Olympic Peninsula

 

Marijuana is more harmful than prohibition.

 

Gunboats are required to protect ferry boats on Puget Sound.

 

Your favorite politician has a plan to create jobs and clean energy.

 

Fusion centers can stop the sorts of violent crimes Americans have been familiar with for decades.

 

 

Photo- Lake Crescent, WA

 

 

Department of Homeland Security massing agents at Port Angeles, WA.

Surge results in 2 cross-border arrests- but that was more than 2 years ago.

 

The new facility is ready.

Still no justification provided by elected officials or the US Border Patrol for an upgrade in staff requiring the 50 agent facility.

 

What you won’t see in local papers-

here:

Secret arrest statistics & the warehousing of Border Patrol agents at Port Angeles

and here:

Port Angeles- 50 agent US Border Patrol station fails to keep the heroin out-

No one is illegally entering the US at Forks, WA.

 

 

Photo- Near Salt Creek- looking towards the west end of Crescent Bay, WA.

 

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.

 

That 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.

 

This local story has been developing for years now. There has been plenty of time for people with the advantage of a press credential to schedule appointments, do interviews & ask questions.

 

Old News

May 31st, 2010-

Two amphibious Canadian marijuana smugglers are captured on a remote Olympic Peninsula beach by the US Border Patrol.

Two total arrests out of the Port Angeles US Border Patrol station that are connected in any way to the US/Canada border?

Two total arrests of people crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Two total arrests involving cross-border traffic for the land and sea based Homeland Security forces stationed at Port Angeles.

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

 

Loose Ends

We’re just weeks away from the grand opening of a new, $5.7 million 50 Agent US Border Patrol station at Port Angeles- an area sharing no land border with Canada.

Still no justification provided by elected officials or the US Border Patrol for an upgrade in staff requiring the 50 agent facility- due to open in the spring of 2012.

 

Besides sharing no land border with Canada- the Olympic Peninsula is not served by the interstate highway system. The nearest interstate is more than 2 hours away.

Alternate route- Interstate 5 – still more than 2 hours away.

If smugglers & drug traffickers were in a hurry to get to an interstate- the Olympic Peninsula wouldn’t be the place to show up. Maybe this is another reason why we have seen just 2 arrests involving cross-border traffic here & why a report concerning fraudulent overtime went public last year.

 

Watch for news reports that claim a need for the 50 agent facility because Ahmed Ressam was stopped at Port Angeles in 1999.

Urban legend: The US Border Patrol stopped the Millennium Bomber at Port Angeles-

Ahmed Ressam was captured at the traditional port of entry at Port Angeles by Customs Inspectors wearing blue uniforms- not by Border Patrol Agents wearing green uniforms.

The US Border Patrol is the primary federal law enforcement agency between the ports-of-entry.

How many US Border Patrol agents were stationed at Port Angeles in 1999?

 

Secret arrest statistics- for your safety

Aug 2011-

“In March, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Richard Sinks declined to release statistics on apprehensions or detainments made by the Port Angeles station.”

“Disclosure of the arrest statistics from the Port Angeles station would provide those interested in crossing our borders illegally with information that could aid their strategic targeting of potentially vulnerable areas along the border,” he said in an e-mail. “To maintain operational security these numbers will not be provided.”

Arrest statistics are secret.

Secret arrest policy instantly lifted if something to brag about takes place.

CBP showcases apprehensions on their own web site. Does this report threaten national security?

Any other law enforcement agencies observing the do not report arrest numbers due to security reasons protocol?

No secret arrest statistics here

Did news people in the San Diego area place national security at risk by making this report?

 

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.

 

March 2011- Local paper submits FOIA request for USBP arrest numbers to justify new 50 agent station. FOIA request denied. FOIA appeal denied.

 

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 SectorBlaine 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.

“Blaine Sector Border Patrol agents, who cover Alaska, Oregon and the western half of Washington state, made 591 arrests in 12 months, the agency announced last week in its annual nationwide arrest report.”

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.”

 

Discussions on local news web sites reveal an almost fetish-like concern Re: the arrest of illegal aliens- “WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND???”, etc.

Very little in the way of acknowledging that people are not illegally entering the US via the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The US Border Patrol has had success in capturing Central American immigrants in Forks- 1500 miles north of where they likely crossed into the US.

These arrests often involve mysterious traffic stops conducted by federal agents (see Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol timeline- bottom of page).

Don’t look for local reporters to ask why the vehicle was stopped.

 

If local arrests are not connected in any way to the US/Canada border- maybe every Port Angeles sized town- all across America- should have its own 50 agent US Border Patrol station?

 

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?

 

What are the results of the investigation Re: fraudulent overtime claims at the Port Angeles USBP station?

Aug 2011- “…Sanchez’s claims had been referred to the federal Joint Intake Center, which will refer it to an investigating agency, possibly the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.”

Hey local reporters-

More than a year has passed since August 2, 2011- What are the results of the investigation? No follow up?

DHS is probably best served by stalling on this.

Our Washington State Patrol opened a criminal investigation in a similar case:

Ex-trooper charged with official misconduct for overtime pay

 

Watch for news reports that attempt to justify the new, 50 agent USBP station at Port Angeles based on preventing another 911.

We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists. The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50.

Don’t look for any coverage admitting that post 911 efforts to keep terrorists from visiting the homeland have failed to keep illegal drugs out.

 

Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol timeline here.

 

 

Watching the Border Patrol-

From Port Angeles:

http://www.stopthecheckpoints.com/

From Port Townsend:

http://bpfree.org/

From Seattle:

http://www.seattleweekly.com/search/results/keyword:Border+Patrol/type:all/

 

 

Photo- Crescent Beach, WA- Vancouver Island in the distance