Congresswoman Waters Urges Airport Security Improvements

Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole, expressing concerns about airport security in the aftermath of the tragic shooting incident at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Copies of her letter were sent to Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Richard Hudson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security; and Rep. Cedric Richmond, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.

The text of her letter follows:

"I write you today to express the importance of having law enforcement officers stationed within 300 feet of TSA passenger screening checkpoints and the need for airport police to have access to all airport security cameras.

"It is my understanding that these two security recommendations were included in a September 2012 letter to you signed by Mr. Marshall McClain, President of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA). In the aftermath of the tragic shooting incident at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I am deeply concerned that these issues have yet to be addressed by TSA. I expressed the importance of implementing these security recommendations in my statement during the House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Transportation Security hearing entitled "TSA's SPOT Program and Initial Lessons from the LAX Shooting," on November 14, 2013. I believe that these recommendations will play a vital role in ensuring that all travelers and airport employees are safe in our nation's airports.

"As the Member of Congress who represents LAX, the safety and security of all of the people who work in and pass through LAX is of paramount importance to me. Following the tragic shooting incident at the airport, I met with representatives from the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO), including the Presidents of LAAPOA and the police associations of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports) and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airport, to discuss suggestions for addressing serious security gaps in our nation's airport system. We all agreed that requiring a law enforcement officer to be located within 300 feet of a TSA passenger screening checkpoint and requiring airport police to have access to all airport security cameras are sensible and cost-effective steps that will significantly enhance the security of all major airports across the nation.

"In this regard, I urge you to immediately revisit and reevaluate the proposals put forth by the AAAPO in their letter to you dated September 28, 2012, which I have enclosed for your reference.

"Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your response."

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