Newark Airport Security Breach: Menendez Says Initial Security Upgrades At Newark Are Somewhat Helpful, But Only A Start
Press Release
Menendez continues to press for a series of new security measures
LINK TO VIDEO OF BREACH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx0ujg9Bh4Y
As U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today continued to push the Transporation Security Administration to make a series of assertive and immediate security upgrades at Newark Liberty International Airport, he said a handful of initial upgrades made in recent days are somewhat helpful, but not enough. As a result of a January 3 security breach (video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx0ujg9Bh4Y), TSA at Newark has:
* Added additional personnel to monitor secure area exit points in Terminal C
* Relocated barriers at exit points to make it easier for monitoring
* Begun "regular" examinations of video surveillance equipment (the frequency of these examinations is undefined)
Today, in communications between his office and the TSA, Menendez continued to push for bolder and more concrete security enhancements at Newark Airport, including:
* Ensuring that the entire terminal is fully monitored by continuously functioning video surveillance
* Ensuring that the upgraded video surveillance is continuously monitored to ensure it is operational
* Preparing to install additional security layers at all secure area exit points to compensate for possible human error (such as electronic sensor equipment or one-way gates)
* Ensuring that multiple security personnel are stationed at each exit point in the airport without diminishing other security operations elsewhere
"The breach at Newark Liberty was completely unacceptable and TSA needs to let the public know both that immediate changes are being made and that long-term security upgrades are imminent," said Menendez. "These first few modest security changes have made Newark Liberty a somewhat safer airport than it was on Sunday, but it is going to take a number of additional swift and assertive upgrades to make it as safe as it needs to be. I have been in continuing contact with the TSA and Port Authority with my recommendations and will continue to push for further action."
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