Nov 21, 2007 — For generations, American and Canadian ambulance and fire crews have rushed across the border to each other's aid in times of emergency. But local officials on both sides of the border say new Homeland Security rules are creating dangerous delays, slowing response times and threatening partnerships that formed over a century ago. Federal officials promise improvements, but new passport rules could make the situation even more complicated. Independent producer Jacob Resneck has this special report.  Go to full article

Jan 18, 2007 — Governor Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, scored a political coup when he persuaded a Republican State Senator to become his top homeland security advisor. On Wednesday, Michael Balboni gave his first public speech. Karen DeWitt was there.  Go to full article

Sep 19, 2006 — Congressman John McHugh says a report on northern border security is "draconian" and goes too far. A Congressional task force concluded more than 10,000 troops are needed to secure the border with Canada. David Sommerstein has more.  Go to full article

Aug 03, 2006 — U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is stepping up recruitment. Their goal is to hire 6,000 new border patrol agents by the end of 2008. The agency now has about 12,000 agents nationwide. That's according to recruitment coordinator John Laturno of the Swanson Sector. He told Gregory Warner, it's an ambitious goal.  Go to full article

Jul 18, 2006 — If you're among the thousands of people making a splash in the St. Lawrence River this summer, the Coast Guard wants you. Its "Waterway Watch" program enlists river goers to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activity - the kind of things a drug smuggler or potential terrorist might do. David Sommerstein went to a "training session" in Alexandria Bay and filed this report.  Go to full article

Jul 18, 2006 — Among the people most likely to see suspicious activity on the river are members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Formed to patrol America's waters at the beginning of World War 2, the Auxiliary has more than 30,000 volunteers nationwide, more than 1000 across New York. After the Waterway Watch press conference, one volunteer gave his higher-up a tour of spots in the Thousand Islands that used to be popular for smuggling and could be again. David Sommerstein produced this Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Jan 19, 2006 — Last year the Department of Homeland Security announced a plan to require U.S. and Canadian citizens to show passports at the Canadian border. The proposal drew widespread opposition. Even President Bush said he was surprised to read about it. Yesterday, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff unveiled a scaled down version of the plan. It would allow frequent border crossers to buy a cheaper, credit card-sized document. The new plan drew some praise in Canada and the U.S. travel industry. But for North Country leaders, it raises more questions than answers. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 02, 2005 — In early July, an earthen dam in the town of Fort Ann gave way, flooding a neighborhood. No lives were lost, but 200 people were forced to evacuate and at least ten homes were destroyed. State Rt. 149, a major thoroughfare, was closed for weeks. The dam was brand new and failed only weeks after Hadlock Pond was filled with water. Town officials are now refusing to release documents describing the dam's construction. They cite Homeland Security laws and say release of the information could pose a security risk. Town officials didn't return phone calls for this report. Brian Mann spoke with Ken Tingley, managing editor of the Glens Falls Post Star, a newspaper which has filed two formal requests that the information be made public.  Go to full article

Oct 21, 2005 — Congressman John McHugh says Homeland Security officials still don't fully grasp the binational nature of the US-Canada border in the North Country. But he says hearings in Plattsburgh and Watertown are getting the message to Washington. David Sommerstein has the latest on the federal government's deliberations over which documents to require to cross the border.  Go to full article

Oct 17, 2005 — Civilian border watchers and their critics gathered on the Vermont border with Canada over the weekend. Between 6 and 10 volunteers for the Minuteman Project monitored the border in the Newport, Jay, and Troy areas. The group says it wants to draw attention to gaps in border security. Protestors had hoped to attract 100 people to the Derby Line green. Organizer Leah Siegel of Burlington told the Associated Press the demonstration was to oppose what she called the Minutemens' "rascist agenda". The Minutemen say they're coming to Massena this coming weekend. As David Sommerstein reports, the border patrol is downplaying their arrival.  Go to full article