Some wildcatters who offer pedestrians rides want passengers to share expenses home, while others are regularly engaged in the transportation business for profit. California Penal Code, Section 654.1, however, makes it unlawful to provide transportation for compensation unless the carrier has a valid certificate or permit. Due to the extraordinary demand for transportation, illegal carriers have flourished in San Ysidro for decades, and it is estimated twice as many illegal versus legal trips are provided on a regular basis. Wildcatters wait on the U.S. side of the border for immigrants to cross. Fees for rides range from $5 to $40, and potential passengers mistakenly believe wildcatters charge less than established carriers. Wildcatters create safety hazards, are not subject to carrying proper insurance, and have been known to take passengers to remote locations where they rob and assault them. Wildcatters operate in conjunction with solicitors who make the initial contact with customers as they walk into the United States. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has formed a task force to deal with the problem of wildcatters. This task force works closely with licensed carriers to promote their businesses as an additional strategy against wildcatters. The SDPD has also established the Border Area Special Enforcement Team to provide daily coverage of the border area and uses undercover police officers as well. During the 12-month period from May 1996 through April 1997, SDPD actions included 70 wildcat-related field interviews and 115 arrests and citations with 190 penal and municipal code charges, 42 charges for transporting without a permit and 148 charges for wildcat-related activities such as soliciting. 4 photographs