NCJ Number
12960
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1974) Pages: 22-24
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
HISTORY AND PROBLEM OF AIRPLANE HIJACKING AS WELL AS OF MEASURES TAKEN TO PREVENT ITS OCCURRENCE.
Abstract
THE ATTEMPTS OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND OF COMMERCIAL AIRLINES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED NUMBER OF HIJACKINGS FROM 1968 ON LED TO THE INSTITUTION OF NUMEROUS COUNTERMEASURES. WEAPON AND EXPLOSIVE DETECTION METHODS SUCH AS X-RAY DEVICES AND DOG-HANDLER TEAMS WERE IMPLEMENTED. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO HELP EFFECTUATE THE SCREENING PROGRAMS. AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO RETURN OR PROSECUTE HIJACKERS WERE SOUGHT. OTHER MEASURES WERE TAKEN TO GUARD AIRCRAFT FROM OTHER RELATED CRIMES SUCH AS CARGO THEFT AND SABOTAGE, AS PART OF A TOTAL AVIATION SECURITY PROGRAM. THE FAA ISSUED NEW REGULATIONS MANDATING BOTH PASSENGER SCREENING AND AIRCRAFT SECURITY. THESE MEASURES HAVE BEEN GENERALLY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES BY EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR CONTINUED VIGILANCE AND THE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE SECURITY PROGRAMS.