LAX Peace Officers’ take on security

Below is a letter from the President of the LAX Peace Officer’s Association about perceived problems with security at LAX.  You’ll notice NONE of them contain any reference to light GA type aircraft but are all concerned with vehicular traffic and damage a IED located in such a method of transportation can cause.

Yet, our DHS continues to persue a SNPRM to limit our ability to fly in and out of airports because of the threat we pose to National Security.

When we will learn?

Times Square happened and through the alertness of a street cleaner, disaster was avioded.  However, we have seen no call to limit vehicle traffic, no call to regulate truckers, no call to regulate SUVs, no traffic barriers.  The TSA’s mandate is to keep us safe on airplanes, yet Sen. Rockefeller (D-WV) is still whining about how “easy” it is to walk on an airplane at Signature in IAD versus how hard it is to get through security on the airline side, with no mention of how easy it is to park a truck somewhere close to the center of government…

LOS ANGELES (AP/KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO) – The airport police union says Los Angeles International Airport is vulnerable to terrorist attack, particularly to truck, car and luggage bombs.

In a June letter obtained by radio station KNX, Airport Peace Officers Association president Marshall McClain writes Chief George Centeno that security cutbacks have made the airport more vulnerable to terrorist attack than at any time since Sept. 11, 2001.

McClain says the airport police force is spread too thin in the central terminal area and random checks of vehicles at the airport have been curtailed.

Los Angeles World Airports executive director Gina Marie Lindsey disputes the union allegations, saying the airport police budget has increased annually since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Read Marshall McClain’s letter below:

Dear Chief Centeno:

We are writing on behalf of Airport Police and Traffic & Security Officers to request an urgent meeting with you to discuss the need to restore security cutbacks at LAX. The failed car bomb attempt in Times Square and a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intelligence memo have heightened our concern about LAX’s ability to deter and respond to similar threats that the DHS says are expected to be attempted inside the United States with “increased frequency.”

Unfortunately, cost-cutting reductions in the deployment of Security Officers in the Traffic Control Unit, and police and security officers in the Central Terminal Area combined with severe cuts to the budgets for training, and the replacement of vehicles and equipment are making LAX more vulnerable to a terrorist attack than at any time since 9/11. These reductions are all the more perplexing and troublesome in light of Mayor Villaraigosa’s public statements earlier this year that LAX security would be increased.

As you know, the Rand Corporation studied LAX security in 2004 and identified the most likely attack scenarios. The top three most likely and most dangerous attacks identified by Rand were:

1. Large truck bomb: A large bomb could be concealed in a truck. If the bomb was detonated at the lower level, Rand expects a large number of deaths. This includes deaths from the curbside and baggage claim areas and at the departure level. The front portion of the terminal would be lost (both the arrival and departure levels), along with two selection of elevated roadway.

2. Curbside car bomb: A medium sized bomb detonated in the right lane in front of the line for a skycap might cause a large number of deaths. The number of deaths is every sensitive to the density and number of people standing in line.

3. Luggage bomb: A small bomb detonated in a large screening line could also produce a large number of deaths. The number of deaths is every sensitive to the density and number of people standing in line.

Consistent with these findings, Rand in 2006 called on LAX to build permanent checkpoints at the airport’s six entrances to reduce the risk of car-bomb attacks. Not only has the permanent checkpoint

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program not advanced beyond the design phase, the random checking of vehicles entering the CTA has been greatly curtailed in recent months. Incredibly, the LAWA executive director told police officers at a recent officer roll call that she did not believe checkpoints were necessary at LAX.

We believe all three of the vulnerabilities identified by Rand require LAX to aggressively monitor and regulate the CTA roadways and sidewalks to preclude unattended vehicles and luggage that can pose a significant danger to public safety. This can best be done be done by robust deployment of TCU Security Officers at each terminal on both the upper and lower level in addition to a strong police presence in the CTA.

At present, the deployment of TCU Security Officers is sparse and sporadic, which sends the wrong message to would-be terrorists who may be planning an attack. There also has been a diminishing presence of airport police in the CTA as increasing numbers of officers have been assigned to podium duty at TSA security checkpoints to replace departed LAPD officers. We believe this is adding to an overall lessening of the airport’s security profile at a time when we cannot afford to let down our guard. It should be obvious that there needs to be a corresponding increase in airport police hiring and staffing as LAPD phases out its LAX substation.

Finally, it is important to remember that since 1974, LAX has been the site of two bombings, two attempted bombings and one gun attack. There is no reason to believe LAX is no longer an attractive target for people and organizations that wish to harm us and cripple the nation’s air transportation system. LAX’s multi-billion-dollar expansion program should not be used as an excuse to cut the airport public safety budget. Common sense suggests building a world-class international terminal will not be money well spent if a terrorist organization or individual is allowed to attempt another high-profile assault on LAX.

This is why we urge you to review and reverse recent decisions that have significantly reduced LAX’s ability to deter an attack so that we can provide the safest possible environment for the millions of travelers, employees and visitors who pass through our airport each year. We will contact your office to schedule a meeting at the earliest possible date.

Sincerely,

Marshall McClain
President
Los Angeles Airport Peace Officer Association