NCJ Number
114146
Journal
Security Volume: 25 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1988) Pages: 42-47
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Under a pending Federal Aviation Administration proposal, airports soon will be required to install security equipment to keep employees out of areas where they do not belong.
Abstract
The proposal calls for installation of a computer-controlled security system that will join employee identification, access control, and surveillance. While airport managers agree that improved security is needed, they say there may be problems with the proposal. The specifics, implementation timetable, and costs of this security upgrade have been a matter of controversy. Under the proposal, airports serving jurisdictions with populations over 49,499 will have 30 to 270 days to submit proposed amendments to their already approved security plans. Industry groups claim this is insufficient time to analyze and determine the best security solutions. Project cost projections vary greatly; estimates run from $149.5 million to five times that amount. In addition, Federal funding allocations are unclear and budgeting presents challenges. Commonality among airport systems could be problematical, as airports must choose systems best suited to their needs. Finally, system installation will be affected by equipment availability and demand and the age and condition of the facility. As an alternative to this proposal, five airline industry groups have recommended that a pilot program be implemented in which four high-risk airports will have 4 years to install and test new access control equipment. Systems in use or planned for a number of airports are briefly described.