SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector is turning to electronic technology to watch areas along the border between San Diego and Tijuana.
Agents have begun using electric dirt bikes on their patrols.
“These electric dirt bikes are more useful for our agency. They’re stealthy, they’re light, they’re quiet, very useful,” said Border Patrol spokesman Gerardo Gutierrez. “When it comes to patrolling the border, these electric dirt bikes are very useful. The terrain here in San Diego Sector is very diverse; You have the mountains, you have ocean areas where we need to respond fast.”
The bikes were acquired about four years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that agents, primarily with the agency’s search, trauma and rescue units, started taking the bikes out on patrol and on rescues.
Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector are using two types of electric dirt bikes to patrol areas along the border between San Diego and Tijuana. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report)
Gutierrez tells Border Report the bikes are a benefit to not only the Border Patrol but the environment as well.
“These are zero emissions, they have very low impact to the environment especially in zones like the mountains or the Tijuana River Estuary, and they’re also very cost-effective since they don’t use any fuel.”
Gutierrez said the bikes are also a valuable tool when trying to rescue migrants who might be stuck or injured in hard to reach areas.
“Equipment like this gives us faster response, faster rescues, which is also saving lives faster,” he said. “It enhances our rescue capability — agents can get to an area faster, and then from there assess the situation, and if need be, get a helicopter or additional resources to be able to assist and help someone in need.”
Gutierrez also said the bikes, for now, will be used only in the San Diego Sector, but might be rolled out soon to help agents in other areas along the southern border.
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