White House Responds To Attack Carried Out by Operatives
From TSA: Smart security involves layers. Risk-based, layered security continues as a major priority for the year ahead and it is reflected in the President’s FY2009 budget request. We have added new layers of security in front of the checkpoint and to other areas of the airport, including: Travel Document Checkers looking for fraudulent documents. Trained Behavior Detection Officers who can identify someone who could pose a threat well before that person gets to the checkpoint, let alone the aircraft. Bomb Appraisal Officers providing IED expertise. VIPR [Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response] teams to intensify the visible presence of security in both aviation and surface modes. We have conducted more than 1000 VIPR team operations, over half of them in surface modes. In fact, we had one yesterday in Atlanta, where I was a participant. We have added random Employee Screening to protect the back side of airports and we’re running a ninety day test of employee screening at seven airports, including Boston, Denver, and Jacksonville, FL. To put this in perspective, by the end of 2008, the vast majority of passengers will be covered by Behavior Detection Officers; 100 percent of passengers will be covered by Travel Document Checkers; and over half the flying public by AT X-ray. Every airport now conducts random screening every day of its employees. All of these programs work together as connected pieces in a multi-layered, multi-modal, total security system to put us one …
