EL PASO, Texas -- The 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border includes a virtual fence made up of a network of cameras, sensors, enhanced communications and upgraded vehicles. The sophisticated equipment is supposed to work as the extra eyes and ears for Border Patrol agents monitoring the open desert. But the first 28 miles of the high-tech virtual fence went up in Arizona, and has seen its share of glitches.

T.J. Bonner with the National Border Patrol Council said glitches include a radar that confused raindrops for undocumented immigrants. He said, "One officer reported that he saw a group of 80 illegal aliens moving northward and then after the end of shift went back to see if the technology had spotted it. It had not."

Some of the faulty equipment has been replaced or fixed, but that is not enough to convince some people the government should continue with the project.

"It makes the department look bad. It makes Border Patrol less effective if they can't count on the machines that are put there to help them run a more effective border checks," said Beth Kurland of west El Paso.

"I think they'd be better off building a regular chain-link fence if they're going to build a fence at all," said Arnold Marks of west El Paso. Despite the problems with the $20 million project headed by Boeing, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said parts of the project do expand Border Patrol capabilities. Chertoff said he plans to accept the high-tech system in the next few days, but not all of it. He compares it to having a house inspection.

"There is some stuff you say, 'I am not taking the house until you fix it.' And then there is some stuff you say, 'You know I will live with it but give me credit,' and that is what we are doing now," said Chertoff.

Some Borderland residents question if this is the best use of taxpayer dollars.

"I think if they're going to spend a lot of money on something they're not sure is going to work, I don't think it's a very good idea," said Marks.

"Why throw good money after bad. That money could be used to put up a more effective barrier, or to try to help both sides take care of the problem," said Kurland.

The DHS is asking for $775 million in its 2009 budget to fence the border. Some of the money is to refine and expand the virtual fence.