Pedestrian traffic at Calexico West Port of Entry

calexico55 · Cholo Nako Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Calexico

I was reading in a recent post of concerns about the long waits entering through the pedestrian lanes at the POE.

As someone who worked there for over 33 years I would like to comment and offer suggestions that may help. First the number of lanes staffed are totally inadequate. To have only one or two lanes open and several inspectors setting around is not acceptiable. It appears that management has insulated itself from the public. It doesn't appear that any management offices are either maintained or accessible at the West POE.

I recall many years ago we had regular meetings with the Calexico chamber of commerce and dialoged about mutual problems. I don't know if this practice has continued. If it hasn't a fire should be built under the Chamber and the City Coucil to put pressure on the port officials to do so. If Senators and Congressmen are needed - do it. Voice your complaints. Repeatedly.

Second- A Special Express lane for Returning U.S.Residents and U.S. citizens should provided and manned. When you hit the long lines back through the tunnel you have no idea what that line is for. People needing extra time being processed through Immigration should be processed separately.

It appears to me that the inspectors are taking advantage of the situation. I speak as having had supervisory and management experience. Supervisors should be put on notice to see that adequate staffing is maintained. You will always hear the excuse that there is inadequate staffing. If this is so a staffing inquiry should be ordered by Congress to verify and solve the problem.

Regardless of the Security Threats, having pedestirans waiting long periods of time to return to the United States or to go shopping is unacceptable. It does little or nothing to reduce any threats or danger. It does devert business and income from our local businesses. Expect that this will become worse during the holiday season.

Thanks for the opportunity of share my comments. i would appreciate yours comments and suggestions.

Calexico55

verbal · Posted: 14 Nov 2006 08:44 PM Post subject:

How many terrorists did you catch or anyone else catch while you worked there?

locoinclx · Posted: 21 Nov 2006 04:05 PM Post subject:

What they should do is make fenced lanes that go all the way down to the tunnel that state what the lane is for and if it is opened or not.. Hey just like the car lanes... That way it would be a little easier, don’t you think???

calexico55 · Cholo Nako Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Calexico

A good thought but probably neither necessary or practical. This would create obstructions. It would also require international cooperation with the Mexican government officials.

The idea of putting signs up over the lanes might work if an express lane for returning U.S. citizens and residents was made. This would not be necessary either if inspectional personnel were manning enough lanes.

The agencies know when peak pedestrian hours are. They have hourly, weekly and monthly counts of the pedestrian and vehicle traffic entering the POE.

Staffing should be implemented immediately to minimize waiting during these times. This is something that can be done now and requires no construction or meetings with the Mexican governnment.

They may have adequate staffing now but managers and supervisors need to assure that the inspectors are actually staffing the lanes and to take action when needed to ensure that this is done. It is unacceptable to have several inspectors setting around when they could open a pedestrian lane to relieve the waiting time at the Pedestrian entry.

As we discussed earlier it will require political pressure from the City Managers, the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of County Supervisors to ensure cooperation. "The Squeaking Wheel Gets the Attention"!

locoinclx

calexico55 · Cholo Nako Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Calexico

If there is nothing that the city and county can do I guess the best thing is to remember that the next time you are waiting in line at the POE pedestrian lane. Forget also trying to have anyone express their dissatifaction with any govenrment program. Just set back and be quiet.

Don't try to communicate with anyone. Don't expect any inspector to get up and open a pedestrian lane when it is backed up. They appear exhausted and disinterested anyway. So don't expect management to try to solved this problem by ensuring that a supervisor intervene to have additional lanes opened. The inspectors would probably file a union grievance anyway. Best of all don't bother management there. I'm sure things will all work out by themselves. Laughing

locoinclx · Posted: 28 Nov 2006 10:36 AM Post subject:

calexico55 · Cholo Nako Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Calexico

e."

If you are setting yourself up as such an expert on "clerical errors" you might have reread your own where you state "This makes me believe that you haven’t research anything about the problems that Calexico’s POE’s currently face." I believe it should be research (ed)? since it is past tense.

I didn't come on the blog to engage in banter but to offer suggestions. If there is a problem with adequate staffing.Then the only short range alternative is to find ways to work around it, or take alternative actions to utilize the current staffing. Finding the money, recruiting and training more personnel is a long term situation that will not alleviate the current problem As you stated "throwing more money" at the problem will not fix it.[/b]

locoinclx · Posted: 28 Nov 2006 05:33 PM Post subject:

CX3 4life · Posted: 06 Dec 2006 04:58 PM Post subject:

I think locoinclx has an excellent point, all people do is whine and expect to get a quick fix to the problem facing the POE. Besides disgruntled employees and screwed up management the POE is simply outdated and inefficient, even if all four pedestrian booths are open it's not enough to keep the traffic flowing at a decent pace. CBP officers are often told to cut down on their inspections during peak hours thus jeopordizing national security. For example they are supposed to scan every document and enter names into the computer to check for warrants or lookouts and they are not getting done just because they want to process pedestrian traffic quicker. That means Prior Deports, people wanted for crimes and maybe even a terrorist can sneak in.