Evaluate the effectiveness of technology in monitoring national borders and preventing trafficking of drugs or humans - Essay Example

?EFFECTIVENESS OF TECHNOLOGY IN MONITORING NATIONAL BORDERS AND PREVENTING TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS OR HUMANS al Affiliation)Abstract/ Introduction Crime and justice organizations within the country are entitled with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the citizens and maintenance of law and order. This involves execution of necessary laws and regulations to prevent crimes from taking place particularly within a country including the national borders. Drug and human trafficking are among some of the most serious crimes in the country (Stark 2011, pg. 37). In order to counter these crimes, prevention measures have to be implemented to forestall the trafficking of human beings and drugs into the country. Various measures have been implemented to tackle these problems such as imposing heavy penalties on individuals who break these laws and also protecting the national orders through a team of well trained personnel and equipment (United states 2010, pg. 16). The use of technology in monitoring the national borders and preventing human and drug trafficking will be discussed as well as its effectiveness. Application of Technology in monitoring National Borders The national borders are monitored by different organizations all with the intention of preventing illegal activities from taking place. This involves prevention of illegal drug and human trafficking and also the illegal immigration of individuals into the country. For this purpose, technology is required to keep track of the activities being carried out along the border and also to verify the legality of individuals or activities. For example, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses technology to identify illegal aliens in the country and further rank them according to the severity of their crimes (National Research Council (U.S.) 2009, pg. 29). Particularly, they apply biometric identification techniques which are used to identify individuals according to their traits or characteristics. In addition to that, illegal activity can be monitored through closed circuit television cameras. The authorities use these cameras to monitor the boundaries and detect whether there is any crime being carried out (Manning 2008, pg. 97). The cameras are usually hidden and are on a 24-hour basis. They are set in a position where they can hold a wide view of the area thus making it easier for the law enforcers to monitor. Law enforcers then observe the borders through the cameras in shifts and also by carrying out patrols around the area. It is possible to record information through these cameras and the information is stored in form of tapes. The tapes are important in court cases as they serve as evidence pointing towards illegal activity being carried out across the border and into the country. Application of Technology in Drug and Human Trafficking Different forms of technology can be applied in drug and human trafficking. For example, scanners are used in major airports to identify illegal substances in an individual’s package (Belliotti 2009, pg. 117). Airport authorities use advanced imaging technology which is programmed to detect various threats against the crew members and the passengers. Other than threats, the imaging technology also highlights the illegal substances thus allowing for further human searching. This form of technology is less invasive compared to the previous methods thus encouraged by many airports. In addition, technology is used to monitor and track the whereabouts of individuals involved in criminal activity particularly drug and human trafficking. Authorities are able to track cell phones using tracking devices that function by tracking the cell phone number. This gives them the accurate position of the phone thus making it easier to take action upon the traffickers. Traffickers prefer using prepaid cell phones which makes them harder to track and thus preventing the control of these vices. However, police officers are allowed to plant tracking devices on such phones and consequently gain evidence to boost their case (Leman-Langlois 2008, pg. 189). This form of technology captures an individual’s cell number and consequently allowing the authorities to note the criminals’ movements within the country. Further than that, traffickers can also be tracked even if their phones are off. This gives the police officers insight into the whereabouts of the traffickers and the best areas to find them. Another important form of technology used in curbing human trafficking is the use of heat sensing technology. Thermal imaging technology is important to law enforcement officers as it helps them to keep surveillance of suspected criminals. It is difficult to disable thermal imagers particularly through the use of bright lights or any other obstructions and this allows the police officers to carry out their work diligently and exclusively. Further than that, thermal imagers can also be used to search for trafficked individuals who might be hidden in containers without even opening them. The imagers are strong and can sense heat within a 1500ft radius around the device. They are commonly used near water bodies where human trafficking mostly takes place (Gaines & Kappeler 2011, pg. 286). Effectiveness of technology in monitoring borders and preventing drug and human trafficking Crime-fighting technology has made it easier for police officers to track down criminals and maintain law and order in the country. They can keep track of the criminals’ whereabouts and even acquire evidence necessary when building a case against the criminals. Further than that, it also helps them to acquire new information from civilians through various sites such as e-Reporting whereby an individual provides the police with information without making an official police statement (Massa 2011, pg. 312). This makes it easy for more people to open up without fear of being arrested or putting their lives in danger. The effectiveness of technology will be analyzed according to its benefits as will be explained. Some of these benefits include reduced drug trafficking, reduced human trafficking, and improved security on the borders and the reduction of illegal immigrants within the country. Reduced Drug Trafficking Technology has played a major role in reducing the gravity of drug trafficking within the country and along its borders. It is important to note that the drug traffickers also utilize high technology devices in order to penetrate the U.S. borders and consequently increase the flow of illegal drugs in the country (Lyman 2010, pg. 173). On the other hand however, the duty of every drug enforcement official in the U.S. is to ensure that these criminals are apprehended and that the flow of drugs is prohibited. In order to achieve this Military Technology and Information technology are utilized. Both parties combine the use of these two forms of technology in order to function effectively and this makes it difficult for the drug enforcement officials to curb drug trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Agency was created in order to deal specifically with the flow of drugs in the country and to ensure that it is curbed (1993, pg.98). Effectiveness of technology in this unit can be seen through the number of arrests they have made and the amount of drugs that have been confiscated. In 2011, the DEA was able to confiscate 18000kg of marijuana, over 450kg of cocaine, over 20kg of methamphetamine and close to 10 kg of heroin. In addition to that they were also able to confiscate $12 million in one single operation. Integration of military technology and information technology enabled them to successfully arrest the drug dealers. A 70ft long submarine designed to carry close to eight tons of cocaine was also discovered and confiscated. The submarine was programmed to navigate to its given destination without being noticed virtually (Manning 2011, pg. 175). In addition to that, collaboration between countries has increased the scope of technological use particularly in relation to curbing drug trafficking. For example, the Mexican authorities permitted the U.S. military drones into their airspace to fly and gather any knowledge they could find particularly relating to the drug trafficking, its sources and related traffickers (Henderson &Epstein 2011, pg. 275). The use of these drones has proven to be effective mainly in relation to the war on terror and drug trafficking. This is because they are easy to use, they cover a wide search area thus provide the officials with necessary information and they also require less manpower to complete these tasks. Reduced Human Trafficking The use of the internet and prepaid cell phones are altering the nature of human trafficking in the United States currently. This is the case as it is easy for the traffickers to get their market online through various websites, blogs, forums or applications. Customers can easily reach out to the traffickers and even make it easier to get into the country unnoticed. However, efforts by various major organizations such as Google, Microsoft and Palantir are providing resources to the government to help in fighting these crimes and preventing human trafficking into the country (Okubo & Shelley 2011, pg.110). Despite the increased use of throwaway cell phones and the internet, law enforcement authorities have devised ways of curbing this trade and also tracking down the perpetrators. Collaboration with these large organizations has proven to be effective and successful as they provide information relating to the whereabouts of these traffickers and how to track them down. Units such as the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit assist the law enforcers by creating technological solutions that help in tracking down human traffickers (Ong 2005, pg. 59). This makes it easier for the enforcers to confine the illegal trafficking and prevent the spread of the trade. In addition to that, other companies have devised technologies that erase child pornography on the internet thus reducing the market for sex traffickers and to track the available child traffickers. In 2009, Netclean and Microsoft created a program PhotoDNA which to remove any form of child pornography on the internet thus reducing the market for trafficking children. The program was created for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which helps in protecting these children. Further than that, Palantir, a data analysis company assists the same organization in parsing information necessary for tracking child traffickers (United States 2010, pg.198). The use of heat sensors has also increased the effectiveness of the law enforcement officials in tracking down trafficked people and setting them free back to their countries. Software has also been developed to mark and record the frequency with which cases of human trafficking have been recorded. This helps the law enforcement to note the routes taken by the traffickers and the particular hotspots where they interact with their customers. With this information, tracking down and arresting the traffickers is easy and more effective (Clarke 2004, pg. 116). Reduces Population of Illegal Immigrants Monitoring the national borders is important to prevent illegal immigrants from getting into the country. Technology plays an important role in ensuring that this does not happen by keeping a look out and alerting the law enforcers in case there is any trouble along the national borders. Illegal immigration has been a major problem in the country and the use of technology has shown relative success in tracking down and deporting illegal immigrants. Additionally, it is difficult for them to get jobs within the country without the right documents and especially if they have been flagged by the authorities. Computer technology has made it possible for employers to do a simple background check on their employees thus making sure that they hire competent individuals and limiting options for illegal immigrants (Berkeley Center for Law and Technology 2011, pg. 21). Improved Security along the National Border The use of technology by law enforcement authorities along the border has made it possible to improve the security of the country in general. This is necessary to avoid outside attacks and also to enhance the war on terror. Technological devices such as scanners and cameras are necessary for detecting any form of threat to the country and alerting the authorities. In addition, the use of drones has also proven to play a major role in the war against terror effectively by covering a wide search area using minimal personnel thus conserving human life and at the same time preventing terror attacks on the country along the border (Siegel 2011, pg. 82). Conclusion Technology plays an important role in ensuring the safety of our country along the national borders and in curbing drug and human trafficking. Drug and human trafficking are among the highest paying vices in the world thus making it difficult to completely eradicate them. However, with the help of technological advancements and well trained personnel, it is possible to regulate the trafficking and actually reduce it in our country. Law enforcement authorities should collaborate more with technology companies in order to devise new ways of tackling drug and human traffickers. It is also necessary for the civilians to be made aware o the dangers they are exposed to and how to protect themselves effectively. References United states. (2010). In our own backyard child prostitution and sex trafficking in the United States : hearing before the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, second session, February 24, 2010. Washington, U.S. G.P.O. (1993). Security technology & design. Park Ridge, IL, Locksmith Pub. Corp. ONG, A., & COLLIER, S. J. (2005). Global assemblages: technology, politics, and ethics as anthropological problems. Malden, MA, Blackwell Pub. UNITED STATES. (2005). Combating trafficking in persons: hearing before the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, first session, April 28, 2005. Washington, U.S. G.P.O. LEMAN-LANGLOIS, S. (2008). Technocrime: technology, crime and social control. Cullompton, Willan. MANNING, P. K. (2008). The technology of policing crime mapping, information technology, and the rationality of crime control. New York, New York University Press. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (U.S.). (2009). Beyond "Fortress America" national security controls on science and technology in a globalized world. Washington, D.C., National Academies Press. MANNING, P. K. (2011). The technology of policing: crime mapping, information technology, and the rationality of crime control. New York, New York University Press. GAINES, L. K., & KAPPELER, V. E. (2011). Policing in America. Newark, NJ, Lexis Nexis. MASSA, L. (2011). Science & the written word science, technology, and society. New York, Oxford University Press.. CLARKE, D. (2004). Technology and terrorism. New Brunswick, N.J. [u.a.], Transaction Publ. HENDERSON, C. E., & EPSTEIN, J. (2011). The future of evidence: how science & technology will change the practice of law. Chicago, Illinois, American Bar Association, ABA Section of Science & Technology Law. BERKELEY CENTER FOR LAW AND TECHNOLOGY. (2011). Technology: transforming the regulatory endeavor. Berkeley Technology Law Journal. 26. LYMAN, M. D. (2010). Drugs in Society Causes, Concepts and Control. Burlington, Elsevier Science. BELLIOTTI, R. (2008). Common use facilities and equipment at airports. Washington, D.C., Transportation Research Board. O?KUBO, S., & SHELLEY, L. I. (2011). Human security, transnational crime and human trafficking Asian and Western perspectives. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge.. SIEGEL, L. J. (2011). Essentials of criminal justice. Belmont, CA, Wadsworth Cengage Learning. STARK, M. (2011). Law enforcement technology video surveillance. Law and Order. 59. Read More