Tucson Escorts: Border program has vague goals, little oversight
… We have seen billions of dollars going into expanding programs that sound great on paper — they make wonderful announcements from Homeland Security leadership — but they have not taken the time to put any of the measures in place to ensure they actually mean anything,” said Jennifer Allen, director of Tucson-based Border Action Network. “You can’t just throw money at a problem.”
Still, the federal government is eager to keep the money coming.
Agencies have not yet spent all of the $60 million allocated in the 2008 grant cycle. But they have permission to start spending the $90 million allocated nationwide for the grant cycle that runs through March 2011.
Variations per agency
Southern Arizona police have worked thousands of overtime hours under Operation Stonegarden.
How they spend those hours depends on the jurisdiction:
• South Tucson police target prostitutes as a way to bust drug dealers and users.