Friday, March 06, 2009

Border Patrol: Rescue beacons to offer help to immigrants in distress

Emergency beacons in Texas and Arizona are saving the lives of illegal immigrants as they cross into the U.S. They usually are deported, but at least, are safe. Donna Poisl

By Jared Taylor, The Monitor

FALFURRIAS — Federal authorities have deployed two new rescue beacons along one of the most common routes followed by illegal immigrants and drug smugglers as they head north.

The U.S. Border Patrol placed the beacons along power lines on Brooks County ranchland east of U.S. Highway 281, said John Lopez, spokesman for the agency's Rio Grande Valley Sector.

"These beacons will be a way of (immigrants) gaining immediate medical attention or assistance," he said. "They will utilize them if they are in a dire need."

Each beacon is a red steel post that stands about two stories tall and is equipped with a red button that can be pressed to summon assistance. The towers are solar-powered and are lighted at night. Mirrors around the tops of them enhance their visibility during the day, Lopez said.

Instructions to push the button for help and wait at the beacon are conveyed in English, Spanish and Mandarin - a group of closely related Chinese dialects that are spoken in about four-fifths of that country. A cartoon image of a person in distress pressing the button and activating the beacon also conveys the message.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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