U.S Border Patrol Chief In The Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS- The Chief of U.S. Border Patrol, David Aguilar met with law enforcement and CTU students in the Springs Monday morning to discuss matters of homeland security.
Aguilar was in town for the National Homeland Defense Symposium but took the time to talk with what he called the ” future homeland security officials” of CTU.
Colorado Springs is the home of the United States Northern Command charged with the entire protection of U.S. Borders. Some of those in attendance said that because of Central Command and the large military community, Colorado Springs is in a delicate position.
Dr. Luis Velez said that Central Command and the military instillations in the area “are engaged in the War on Terror everyday and consequently it makes our community engaged in the War on Terror.”
On the agenda was border security and a possible 9/11-type attack sometime in the next five years.
Chief David Aguilar assures the CTU students and local law enforcement that the United States is mores secure, but a recent National Homeland Defense Foundation survey suggests 75% of homeland security professionals believe a 9/11-type attack will occur in the next 5 years.
Aguilar told students that since about 2007 Border Patrol has uncovered 113 tunnels used to transport illegal immigrants and drugs, and 137 ultra-light aircrafts used to transport narcotics.
Local law enforcement also attended to discuss their role in homeland security. According to Chief Aguilar, “they (local law enforcement) are the first responders, also a tremendous source of intelligence, they can see activity that doesn’t fit.”
