Local Citizens Graduate From Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station Citizens Academy

Grand Island, N.Y. – Several local citizens and community leaders from Niagara County, N.Y. successfully completed the first Citizens Academy held exclusively by the Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol Niagara Falls Station on June 29.

Academy participants were comprised of citizens and community leaders who received a behind-the-scenes tour of the station and learned the history of the U.S. Border Patrol, its mission, and the role that CBP U.S. Border Patrol plays in protecting the border.

Participants received a behind-the-scenes tour of the station and learned the history of the U.S. Border Patrol, its mission, and the role that CBP U.S. Border Patrol plays in protecting the border. Participants also learned about technologies utilized by Border Patrol agents as well as defensive tactics, maritime operations, and collaborative operations including the Integrated Border Enforcement Team and Operation Stonegarden.

“The academy was a success for the community attendees and the staff at the Niagara Falls Station. In fact, we were originally scheduled for five classes but at the request of the participants we added an additional class in order to get a more in-depth view of the mission of CBP U.S. Border Patrol,” said CBP U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Charge Michael J. Phillips. “And our attendees got a rare opportunity to get a first hand look at the tools and methods utilized to accomplish our mission.”

These classes are just the beginning; Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station will host another Citizens Academy in the Fall.

If you are interested in attending future sessions of the Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station Citizens Academy, please contact Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Joseph Borowski at (716) 285-6444.

CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the CBP Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1 (800) 331-0353 toll free.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.