I still haven't figured out what it means about our local media that they buried, mangled, or ignored what should have been - and could still be - a major, on-going regional story of national significance. At least a dozen print journalists and a half-dozen television reporters with cameras attended the Dialogue's Forum Fronterizo in December with Doris Meissner. As the former head of the U.S. immigration service, Meissner knows San Diego and the border like the back of her hand. She is arguably the best person in the country to advise us on the serious border-crossing problem we have been experiencing since September 11.

Exec. Dir. Chuck Nathanson

She did not disappoint. She said San Diego had the opportunity and, in her opinion, also the obligation to lead the nation on border security. (See her remarks) And she went on to explain that the main elements of a solution are already in our hands, particularly the special SENTRI commuter lanes at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.

Meissner helped to create these lanes for frequent crossers who are willing to submit themselves to a criminal background check and pay an annual fee. Participants in SENTRI routinely cross in three minutes or less, even in the current crisis.

About SENTRI, Meissner said: "It is the best tool that is available and in operation today to ensure border security. Because it takes away the guesswork. It basically moves the vast majority of people who are lawful and law-abiding, and allows the resources to be focused on the people who could be questionable, the people that are first-time crossers, the people who are high risk."

"The SENTRI lanes," she went on, "really represent the wave of the future in this new era. You're holding in your hands in this region two of the three that exist on the southwest border. It is an enormously precious commodity."

The challenge, she said, would be to expand SENTRI from the 12,000 area residents who are currently enrolled to half or more of the three hundred thousand frequent crossers in the region who are potential enrollees. That would both improve security and dramatically reduce wait times for the low-risk residents of the region.

This is good, front page stuff, especially when you understand that Meissner was disagreeing implicitly with the current policy out of Washington that requires thorough inspection of everyone and every vehicle. But Meissner's message never made it close to a front page.

Suppose an enterprising editor in town wanted to bring her message back to life. Here are some story assignments that should have a high payoff for our region and the nation:

1. Ask security experts around the country if they think Meissner is right. Her main point - that you get better security by segmenting the traffic between high-risk and low-risk than by treating everyone the same - ought to get widespread validation. The same principle could be applied broadly at airports through an expansion of already existing pre-clearance programs. Several high-ranking officials within INS and the U.S. Customs Service have told me they also think segmentation is the way to go, but they are reluctant to be vocal about it.

2. Take a hard look at the SENTRI program. Is it working as a tool of law enforcement and traffic management, and how might it be improved? In particular, why is it still taking applicants six months or more to enroll? What would have to change to expedite expansion to 150,000 or more users?

3. Put the San Diego congressional delegation, along with Senators Boxer and Feinstein, on the spot. Ask them if they will work together to support a major expansion of the SENTRI program. So far, Bob Filner seems to be the only member of the delegation who has taken much interest in the border-crossing problem, but the recent redistricting may even dilute his interest. In any case, a bipartisan effort is needed. The first two stories should provide plenty of evidence to justify such an effort.

4. Put Mayor Dick Murphy on the spot. Ask him why he has done nothing apparent to orchestrate a solution to a problem that is causing great distress to tens of thousands of San Diego residents and a great many businesses. Ask him also if he would be willing to galvanize leadership in San Diego to lobby Washington for an expansion of SENTRI. If not, we ought to know why.

5. Don't forget Mexico. Baja California Governor Eugenio Elorduy and Tijuana Mayor Jesus Gonzalez Reyes have a big stake in solving a problem that is causing as much pain south of the border as north. Gov. Elorduy, who is co-chair of Forum Fronterizo, has already spoken to Pres. Fox about the problem and is said to be in the process of planning a trip to Washington on behalf of an expansion of SENTRI.

This is a test, folks. Doris Meissner thinks San Diego is obliged to lead the nation to a solution on border security. Let's see if we can rise to the challenge.