U.S., Mexico to improve border police communication

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Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — Mexico and the U.S. are creating a trans-border communications network that will help police on both sides fight crime and violence.

A U.S. State Department official says secure voice, data and video channels, costing about $7 million on the U.S. side, are expected to be online within three years. The Department of Homeland Security and Mexico's Secretary of Public Security are working out the details.

William H. Grigsby of the State Department said Thursday that secure networks will allow federal, state and local police to "coordinate a broad array of law enforcement activities."

Some Mexican and U.S. police agencies already cooperate, but the system will standardize communication for the whole 2,000-mile border.