Why are there California border crossing checkpoints that don't seem to do anything?
Why are drivers stopped at the border going into California?
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There is a border checkpoint on the Interstate 40 freeway that stops drivers going from Arizona to California (but not the other way). When I was a kid, they used to ask if you had any produce and then wave you through when you said No.
When I go through nowadays, I stop at the checkpoint. The guard doesn't say anything to me (or even look at me). After some time from 20 seconds to 5 minutes they wave me to go. They don't come out to my vehicle, ask me any questions or do anything that might seem constructive.
The couple of times that I asked what the deal was, the guy ignored my question and told me to go.
I have also stopped at the Nevada Border with similar results - no questions or any kind of inspection.
What are they actually doing anything at these checkpoints? Is there anything that I can do so I just don't sit there for a few minutes for no apparent reason?
Best Answer
It's a California agricultural inspection checkpoint. You can read an FAQ about who they are and what they're doing:
WHAT ARE YOUR INSPECTORS LOOKING FOR?
Our inspectors check vehicles and commodities for compliance with California and federal plant quarantine regulations. They also check commodities to make sure they are free from exotic invasive species that may be hitchhiking with them. Although the primary focus is on plant materials (i.e., fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, hay, firewood, etc.), other items are also frequently inspected.
They're mainly interested in commercial vehicles, boats, and cars coming from farther away.
Pictures about "Why are there California border crossing checkpoints that don't seem to do anything?"
Why are there checkpoints going into California?
Officials staffing CBPS checkpoints inspect vehicle traffic entering California for the presence of pests; vehicles discovered to be carrying infested cargo are denied entry to the state.Are there checkpoints going into California?
There are currently eight checkpoint locations in the state of California.Why do they stop you at the California border?
California's Border Protection Stations (BPS) are the first line of defense in our pest exclusion efforts. At these stations, vehicles are inspected for commodities infested with invasive species. California established its first agricultural inspection stations in the early 1920s.Why are there checkpoints in the US?
The stated primary purpose of these inspection stations is to deter illegal immigration and smuggling activities. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, they took on the additional role of terrorism deterrence.Don't Comply At Illegal Internal Checkpoints - Border Checkpoint 60 Miles From Border?
More answers regarding why are there California border crossing checkpoints that don't seem to do anything?
Answer 2
California’s Border Protection Stations (BPS) are the first line of defense in our pest exclusion efforts. At these stations, vehicles are inspected for commodities infested with invasive species. California established its first agricultural inspection stations in the early 1920s. Today there are 16 of these facilities located on the major highways entering the State (see interactive map). At these stations, vehicles and commodities are checked to ensure they are pest free and meet all regulatory requirements.
Most years, more than 20 million private vehicles and 7 million commercial vehicles were inspected at the BPS. From these vehicles, inspectors rejected over 82,000 lots of plant material (fruits, vegetables, plants, etc.) because they were in violation of California or federal plant quarantine laws.
Watercraft, self-movers, recreational vehicles and utility vehicles comprise about five percent of the vehicles that pass through the stations yearly. Commercial vehicles cover over 25 percent of the traffic. The remaining 70% are classified as passenger private vehicles that are required to be screened for routes of travel determining pest risk and level of inspection. Inspectors are busy day in and day out, filtering and inspecting these 20 million vehicles that come into the State. As a result, inspectors intercepted thousands of contraband material annually.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders.html This question belongs to Google.
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Images: Quintin Gellar, Armin Rimoldi, Armin Rimoldi, Anete Lusina