NCJ Number
157606
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 64 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 8-11
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Community Resource Development Program of the U.S. Border Patrol in the San Diego sector provides a structure for both the supporters and critics of the patrol to express their concerns and have enforcement agents respond.
Abstract
The program consists of 40 hours of discussion. It is divided into 10 weekly 4-hour time blocks to facilitate information exchange in an open forum, while allowing adequate time for those attending to digest one another's perspectives. These relatively short sessions include one or two speakers, as time allows. Border Patrol agents know well in advance who will speak, so they can research the stated positions of the civilian participants and formulate pertinent questions. The patrol gives community participants the opportunity to choose their own topics. No subject matter is off-limits. The patrol only requires that participants make the sessions interactive, so that all positions are expressed. The community spokespersons are identified and selected for participation by management and field personnel. Participants are selected for divergent views and their ability to express their views without rancor or fanaticism. Electronic and print media representatives also participate in the program. The five completed programs, each involving 35 agents, have received positive reviews from agent and civilian participants alike. All parties believe their ideas have been heard by other participants, and a better understanding of border control problems and situations, as well as community concerns and questions, has emerged.