Accusations of inadequate security take off at LAX airport

When news broke last week about an airport police union’s warning that budget cutbacks have left the Los Angeles airport more vulnerable to a terrorist attack than at any time since 9/11, California lawmakers listened and have called for a security review. The police union outlined its concerns and requested a meeting in a letter sent to the Airport Police Chief on June 8. Five weeks later, airport officials spoke to reporters and responded to the accusations.

Is security lax at LAX?

Claim – The airport police force is spread too thin because of cutbacks.

Response – The Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) executive director, Gina Marie Lindsey, denied the claim in a Los Angeles Times article saying the number of police officers grew from 263 to 447 today. To be clear, she also denied the allegation that the budget was reduced stating that it has increased annually since 9/11 and went up 3.5 percent for fiscal year 2010-2011. Lindsey went on to bolster the organization’s commitment to security saying it is one of the safest airports in the world due and that LAX has met or exceeded the Transportation Security Administration’s police deployment requirements.

Claim – The number of random vehicle checks has been reduced leaving the airport in greater danger of large-truck, car and luggage bomb attacks.

Response – LAWA officials also denied this claim stating there has been no reduction in the number of random vehicle checks — about 22,000 monthly.

Claim – LAX has failed to implement permanent checkpoints at six entrances as recommended by the Rand Corporation, a think tank that studied the airport’s security in 2004 and 2006.

Response – Nancy Castles, a spokesperson for LAX, told CNN that Rand’s recommendations “weren’t implementable” due to traffic issues and the airport opted for a randomized checkpoint system developed in conjunction with engineering students at the University of Southern California. To transcend the allegation of failure and bolster the airports alternative, she underscored the advantage of randomization as it “keeps terrorists unbalanced, so they can’t size you up and attack you.” In addition, she noted that airports across the U.S. are adopting this method.

Despite LAWA’s strategic response, the matter isn’t going away. It’s no surprise that the accusations have gained the attention of lawmakers – the risks are evident and the airport has a crisis history. According to the L.A. times article, LAX:

• Is the country’s third-busiest airport and one of California’s top terrorist targets.
• Has also been the site of two bombings, two attempted bombings and a gunman attack in the last four decades.

The police union may have detected prodromes of a larger issue and by bringing them to light, officials and lawmakers have a chance to examine and potentially reduce risk factors. Before they can do that, the groups must first reconcile their differing interpretations of the potential crisis dimensions.

Susan F.