Lucas County commissioners accepted a federal grant to fund high-visibility patrols of roads and waterways to enhance border security.

The three-year grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security, approved unanimously Tuesday, will provide $70,000 to fund overtime in addition to mileage for vehicles. The funds are part of Homeland Security’s Operation Stonegarden, a joint effort with local law enforcement agencies.

According to the operation agreement, “Lucas County will support the U.S. Border Patrol Field Commanders by operating in and around the border area to enhance overall border security efforts.”

Although it does not have a land border, Lucas County has a 20-mile water border with Canada that “makes for an easy entry point for terrorists avoiding detection, undocu

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