Armed agents to patrol lake against terrorism, drugs
By Rick Armon
Staff writer
(February 17, 2004) " The U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection plans to station armed agents in Rochester to help patrol Lake Ontario against potential terrorists and drug runners.
"The primary objective is to protect our nation"s borders," said Mario Villarreal, a spokesman with the federal agency in Washington, D.C.
The agents will fulfill a promise last year by Commissioner Robert Bonner to increase security along the entire Canadian border in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he said. More than 1,000 agents are now stationed on the northern border.
It has not been determined how many agents will be based in Rochester, where specifically they will be housed or when they will be deployed here, Villarreal said.
An official announcement about the new border agents will be made today by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport. They have planned a news conference for 2 p.m. at the Roger J. Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park.
Both declined to comment Monday.
County sheriff"s deputies, the Coast Guard and State Police patrol the lake now, but only sporadically because of other responsibilities. Schumer and Slaughter have argued that more agents should be assigned to the lake because of its size.
Monroe County Sheriff Patrick O"Flynn said he"s looking forward to working with the new agents.
We go up to the St. Lawrence with the boat every once in a while. At the public dock in Cape Vincent there's a little sign that say's. Upon arriving from Canada please use this phone and call the border patrol. NO joke. Your supposed to wait until they come from Alexandria Bay it's about 50 miles.
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You're only one post away from a federal watch list.
I hope they don't screw up getting into Canada. I have been up there 25 times Hunting and Fishing. I started going up in 1979 and have gone once or twice a year almost every year since. Next to the family its been the joy of my life. My reason for working another years and planning the next trip. My thanks to all the folks from Canada on this board. The Canadian People always treated us very well while traveling in thier country. A few times when we had truck or trailer problems they were unbevievable helpful and never wanted a dime for the trouble. To be they have been great nieghbors.
More guards on the border of Canada
