No computers or high tech scanning devices could be found as a makeshift Canadian Customs station reopened traffic on the Massena-Cornwall Bridge Monday morning.
Instead, a border officer sat at a table copying down license plate numbers on a notebook as fellow officers quizzed northbound drivers about their destination.
And it was all outdoors, threatening weather overhead notwithstanding.
On Sunday, the Canadian Border Services Agency announced it would reopen the bridge, which had been closed six weeks, by setting up a temporary customs station at the north end of the north span, in the City of Cornwall, Ontario.
Doing so bypasses the closed station on Cornwall Island, which has been under control of Akwesasne Mohawks since May 31st.
"This is about as raw as it gets, I guess, in terms of setup," said Ron Moran, National President of the Customs and Immigration Union, keeping an eye on it from about 50 yards away.
"It's very makeshift as you can see but nonetheless the officers are very pleased they are doing what they love to do, which is move traffic," he said.
And, "although it looks quite primitive and it is, by many definitions, it's still working quite efficiently to ensure that compliance is going on," Moran added.
He said officers sans computers were using radios or cell phones to check credentials and identities when necessary.
Also, U.S. Customs officials several miles away were checking northbound traffic, and communicating with their Canadian counterparts to make sure that drivers who said they were heading into Canada, actually did, Moran said.
The temporary setup could last for months as negotiations continue between the CBSA and Akwesasne leaders on a permanent solution. While the open-air checkpoint appeared vulnerable to weather conditions, Moran suggested that temporary shelter could be set up if necessary.
The important thing, Moran said, is that the officers are now bearing sidearms and are no longer required to do their job under the noses of Akwesasne Mohawks, some of them hostile to the guards' presence. "It's very makeshift as you can see but nonetheless the officers are very pleased they are doing what they love to do, which is move traffic," he said.
And, "although it looks quite primitive and it is, by many definitions, it's still working quite efficiently to ensure that compliance is going on," Moran added.
He said officers sans computers were using radios or cell phones to check credentials and identities when necessary.
Also, U.S. Customs officials several miles away were checking northbound traffic, and communicating with their Canadian counterparts to make sure that drivers who said they were heading into Canada, actually did, Moran said.
The temporary setup could last for months as negotiations continue between the CBSA and Akwesasne leaders on a permanent solution. While the open-air checkpoint appeared vulnerable to weather conditions, Moran suggested that temporary shelter could be set up if necessary.
The important thing, Moran said, is that the officers are now bearing sidearms and are no longer required to do their job under the noses of Akwesasne Mohawks, some of them hostile to the guards' presence.
