Border Technology Funding Expanded

Gov. Janet Napolitano announced that Arizona has successfully persuaded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revise reimbursement guidelines for "Operation Stonegarden," a federal program that reimburses local law enforcement agencies for enhancing their presence along the border through increased patrols.

Gov. Napolitano was joined by top officials from New Mexico, California & Texas in calling on DHS to revise the guidelines to allow local law enforcement agencies to use these federal funds for a wider range of border security efforts. In the past "Operation Stonegarden" reimbursed state & local law enforcement agencies only for overtime costs. DHS has now agreed to pay for border security & surveillance equipment such as ground radar, infrared detection devices, video cameras & improved radio communications systems.

“I appreciate Secretary Chertoff responding to my request to provide greater flexibility in this program,” said Gov. Napolitano. “State & local law enforcement agencies in Arizona will now have more options in their efforts to improve security along the border.”

Additionally, Napolitano was able to persuade DHS to drop a proposed requirement that local law enforcement agencies match 25% of the federal dollars in order to participate in "Operation Stonegarden." This proposed match requirement would have placed a tremendous financial burden on border law enforcement agencies in Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz & Yuma Counties. With the match requirement eliminated, these agencies along Arizona’s more than 370-mile border will not be forced to pay for a federal responsibility.

In Sept., Napolitano announced that Arizona will receive $6.35 million through "Operation Stonegarden," a bulk of the $15 million allotted for the border states. In 2004 & 2005, Arizona spent $822,000 through "Operation Stonegarden." The increased law enforcement presence along the border’s high illegal trafficking areas resulted in 536 arrests (including 79 felony arrests), the confiscation of cash & stolen vehicles, large quantities of drugs, & 871 illegal immigrants turned over to federal immigration authorities.