We Aren't Big Brother….But We Are Watching You

By Gene Yarbrough

The United States Customs and Border Protection: Office of Air and Marine (USCBPOM) held a public relations forum at Airventure on Monday. The tone of the meeting began as an information and education effort by the agency but quickly evolved into an US and Them stand off.

Agents from the office shared with those in attendance what the office does, some of the methods and tactics used, what to expect if you are approached by an agent, and some of the successes the agency has enjoyed, most related to drug interdiction activities.

When the floor was opened up to questions the public animosity became immediately apparent. The agents were bombarded with questions and comments regarding recent search and seizure activities perpetrated on persons operating aircraft. The agents responded with a defensive posture doing their best to quell the confrontational crowd stating what their authority within the US borders is. The crowd was not impressed. Question after question pressed the agents for answers as to why many high profile cases involving unreasonable searches and detainment are occurring. The USCBP agents offered little to placate those up in arms. In fact the “I am the Law” posture, reminiscent of Judge Dredd, appeared counterproductive and only fed the anti-establishment mindset.

The meeting, being at somewhat of a stalemate, ended as the allotted time came to a close, but the unrest of the people had been stated. Hopefully our government is getting the message on all fronts that the people of this country are fed up with the continual and accelerating erosion of our civil liberties.

FMI: www.cbp.gov