Levin seeks $60M for coastal surveillance after deadly smuggling attempt off Del Mar

Del Mar lifeguards look over a capsized boat on the beach last week at Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Denis Poror Associated Press Rep Mike Levin called Monday for increased federal funding to create a surveillance system along San Diego s coastline that would prevent smuggling events such as last week s boat capsizing that claimed the lives of multiple undocumented newcomers The North County Democratic congressman stated he has requested million to help a system of autonomous surveillance towers that would utilize cameras radar and infrared hardware to detect vessels such as the one that capsized off the coast of Del Mar The May maritime smuggling event led to the approved deaths of three people including a -year-old boy The boy s -year-old sister remains lost at sea and is presumed dead and both children s parents were among several settlers who were injured Five people are facing federal charges in San Diego for various alleged roles in the episode Another maritime smuggling mishap on Sunday morning saw a boat carrying multiple transients wash up near Windansea Beach in La Jolla Nine displaced persons were detained by Perimeter Patrol officers in that matter As part of efforts to bolster prevention along the coast Levin also called on his fellow congressmembers to promotion a bill to expand how far into the waters law enforcement can patrol as well as an overhauling of the nation s immigration system You can t just have prevention You ve got to have humanity as well Levin explained If we re going to deter people from wanting to take a panga boat then we re going to have to have orderly procedures for people who want to get to the United States for the right reasons