Radar Studies Underway in Grosse Pointe Farms

Studies analyzing the 50,000-watt radar proposed to go on top of the 60-foot tower at the Grosse Pointe Club are underway and results will help determine when Grosse Pointe Farms city council will make a decision. Health risks, alternative options are amo

Studies to be Completed into Radar Proposal in Grosse Pointe Farms

First informational meeting draws 20 residents. The next informational meeting on the proposed radar is Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church.

The first of two informational meetings on the proposed 50,000-watt radar U.S. Customs and Border Patrol wants to install to help monitor Lake St. Clair drew about 20 residents Friday night. Gathered in Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, the representative from Border Patrol, Gregory Lambert, provided a short explanation of the radar proposal and its purpose. He also fielded questions from residents. The meeting revealed two studies that officials are conducting. Grosse Pointe Farms officials have recruited the use of a recommended environmental engineer to analyze the radar proposal including health effects, Farms Director of Public Services Terry Brennan said. Local U.S. Cutoms and Border Patrol officlals have made a request to Washington …

•  6 Comments
• Videos (1)

Gary M. Wilson, Esq.

2:55 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

"Lambert answered some questions and declined to answer others based on the investigative nature of the Border Patrol." Um, Agent Lambert: All of law enforcement involves investigation. At least ideally. But since you're from the federal government we should just take you at your word? Not a chance. A fundamental right of citizens is the right to be apprised of the actions of the government that …   more ›

Department of Homeland Security Radar Put on Indefinite Hold

The negative public reaction to the proposed radar to be placed at the top of a 60-foot tower on the grounds of the Little Club led to the decision by the Department of Homeland Security to put it on hold indefinitely.

A 60-foot tower on the grounds of the Grosse Pointe Club will only be topped with high-powered surveillance cameras as the proposed radar has been indefinitely put on hold, Border Patrol Special Agent Gregory Lambert said.  The tower was built in June after the Department of Homeland Security received approval from Grosse Pointe Farms city council. The council approved the tower and the installation of the cameras. During that meeting, Lambert also said the intent was to install a radar on the tower as a better means to monitor Lake St. Clair for potential people entering the country illegally.  Lambert said Thursday the radar has been put on hold indefiniately due to the negative public reaction. He had been planning to hold a town hall …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Grosse Pointe Farms Residents Question Homeland Security Tower, Camera, Radar

The Grosse Pointe Farms City Council approved the 60-foot tower and a camera to monitor Lake St. Clair for illegal immigrants trying to enter the country but Border Patrol also wants a radar.

Despite concerns voiced by residents of Rose Terrace Street, a 60-foot tower with several embellishments has been installed behind the Grosse Pointe Club for the eventual monitoring of Lake St. Clair for illegal immigrants trying to enter the country. A 60-foot tower was approved by the Grosse Pointe Farms council as a special variance to the normal height restriction of 55 feet. The tower, as presented to the city council, is intended to hold a high-powered camera as a measure of border security. Lake St. Clair is bordered by the United States and Canada, which is close enough to the Grosse Pointes and Detroit that it can be seen across the lake.  The private club, known more commonly as the Little Club, entered into a lease agreement …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)