For Immediate Release
April 10, 2015
Media Contact:
Jasmyne Cannick
[email protected]
Los Angeles Airport Police Union Responds
to AP Investigation of Perimeter Breaches
LAX had third number of highest breaches
LOS ANGELES, CA – The following statement is in response to an Associated
Press investigation that found LAX had the third highest number of cases at 24 of
intruders hopping perimeter fences or crashing cars through gates at U.S.
airports since 2004:
The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association raised these very
same security issues back in 2011 and in 2015 is still raising them.
Airport police officers monitor our airport perimeters in patrol cars, on
motorcycles, with K-9 units and electronically on a constant basis. We
also have security officers posted at all entrances and exits to the airfield.
Higher reinforced fencing, double fencing and utilizing the latest
technology advances for state of the art intrusion along with detection
devices would make the more than 8 miles of perimeter fencing at LAX
less vulnerable to would-be terrorists and criminals.
However, the ultimate deterrent to a breach of airport security will always
be having enough specially trained, experienced airport police officers, not
just manning the perimeter—but patrolling surrounding areas to thwart
potential attacks before they ever reach the perimeter of this huge and
vital transportation hub.
It’s been exactly one year since the U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) released its findings from a ninemonth investigation into revenue diversion at LAX in a report titled “FAA
Oversight Is Inadequate to Ensure Proper Use of Los Angeles
International Airport Revenue for Police Services and Maximization of
Resources.”
The audit found then that Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) improperly
used more than $8 million of LAX revenues and funding between 2006
and 2012 without adequate documentation or support, most of it for LAPD
policing services. Unfortunately, this is only the latest chapter in a long
history of airport revenue diversion in Los Angeles.
Instead of choosing to focus on cosmetic enhancements, the Los Angeles
World Airports (LAWA) owes the over 70 million people who travel
annually through LAX as well as the citizens of Los Angeles a real
commitment towards funding the public safety measures that are much
needed and made even more obvious in the finding of the Associated
Press’s investigation.
LAX is on track to becoming a world-class airport and we want to ensure
the Los Angeles Airport Police Department continues addressing our
staffing needs.
The city of Los Angeles committed to increasing the police force by 1,000
officers.
With passenger loads increasing at LAX by more than 10 million in the
past 5 years, there’s no reason that Los Angeles airport police staffing
numbers should be lower than what they were five years ago. Even more,
events such as the November 1 shooting underscore that security remains
a crucial concern.
The habitual siphoning of dollars away from LAX results in costly federal
fines against the City, but more importantly it weakens the airport’s ability
to sustain and protect itself.
We welcome Mayor Eric Garcetti’s pledged to boost efforts to secure Los
Angeles International Airport and to help fully staff the airport’s police
department to deter any future breaches.
###
The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association (LAAPOA) represents the
sworn police officers and firefighters of the Los Angeles Airport Police
Department assigned to protect and serve Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX), LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). For
more information on LAAPOA, please visit www.laapoa.com.
Follow LAAPOA on Twitter @AirportPoliceLA and on Facebook at
facebook.com/laapoa.