This week on Capitol Hill, members of the House of Representatives got an update on a program that would work to protect our nations borders.

Congressman Henry Cuellar wants Laredo to be the lead city in testing out custom border protection body cameras. That’s for the men and women protecting our bridges, airports and seaports. The testing has been used in training but its now ready to move into phase two, the pilot program.

“If the officer mistreats somebody, there’s a camera, there’s a video, if a person comes over to the officer, there is proof on it,” Cuellar said.

Congressman Cuellar has added two provisions. One for customer service because of the amount of complaints he’s said he has gotten in Laredo alone. He said one of the reasons the complaints may have grown, could be from the growing stigma that those crossing the boarder are bad.

“Remember if it’s a criminal you treat them like a criminal but most of the people coming across are good people, either coming across to work or live in the United States,” Cuellar said.

His second provision is the body cameras themselves. Opponents say the cameras infringe on privacy, but Congressman Cuellar they will help keep both the officer and those crossing the border, safe. 
Now Congressman Cuellar waits to see if Laredo will be chosen for the pilot program and if this program will be implemented across the country.

Cueller hopes to see the program expand from CBP to all U.S. border agents.

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