30% of Border Patrol surveillance cameras offline, according to memo

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A memo from Border Patrol in early October stated nearly one-third of its surveillance camera systems are not working.

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection statement, Border Patrol cameras require significant maintenance and upgrades.

Agent Christina Smallwood says weather plays a factor in camera maintenance and agents also always operate knowing tech failure is a possibility.

"We always rely on one of our old-fashioned techniques which the Border Patrol is very well known for, and that is sign cutting, Looking for any disturbance in the ground," said Smallwood.

Cameras in the Valley have no clear date for an update however, CBP says they will deploy an additional 15 surveillance towers to the southern border in the coming months.