A Local Outlook on
Terrorism
By: Freddie D. Ordonez
The Instigation
• One can safely state that
after September 11th, the
nation is not the same
• This event provided the
populace with a sense not
of outright fear but rather
grave uncertainty
• It also compelled the
nation to fight a war that
resides more in the minds
and hearts of men than
physical, national borders
What was Immediately Done?
• The federal government
mobilized quickly
instituting various
changes including:
• Formation of Homeland
Security
• Passing of the Patriot Act
• Increased funding for
emergency preparation
and protection
Terrorism and Transportation
• While various aspects of daily life has altered
post 9/11, the most vivid example lies in the
system of transportation
• Acknowledging how lax airport security was
prior and on that fateful morning, steps were
taken to bolster airport security
• Yet, although great concern resided with
airports, Homeland Security decided to
increase surveillance and protection
measures in all other entry and/or travel
points such as train stations, borders, and
ports
Airport Security Pre-9/11
• Previous to terrorism assailing the homeland,
federal officials lay cognizant of the ill-state in
which airport security was situated
• Problems ranging from unacceptable
performance from security screeners to
inadequate supervision of who boards the plane
made gaping holes within the airport security
framework a viable threat
• Some advances did occur including the need for
passengers and their carry-on bags to be
screened through X-ray and funding for better
training of security screeners
Airport Security Pre-9/11 Part II
• Nevertheless, the FAA seemed opposed to
further changes saying that those previously
mentioned were getting the job done.
• By the 1990’s, talks began in earnest to
drastically improve airport security while other
federal agencies such as the General
Accounting Office harshly criticized the FAA for
failing to introduce performance standards for
screeners and utilize new screening
technologies
GAO on the FAA’s Technological
Deficiencies
• “FAA has made little progress toward meeting
the Aviation Security Improvement Act’s goal of
deploying new explosive detection systems…In
addition, FAA does not plan to test new
explosive detection systems at airports during
the certification process…FAA does not have a
strategy that articulates important milestones,
sets realistic expectations, and identifies
resources to guide efforts for implementing new
explosive detection technology”
Airport Security Post-9/11
• Provided these inefficiencies, drastic changes
prompted by federal legislation took effect in part
making waiting times frustratingly long but by the
same token granting a greater level of security
• Changes encompass the following: reinforcing
cockpit doors while also arming the pilot,
federalizing airport security screening, stringent
screening techniques, and placing air marshals
in various flights.
Port Security Pre-9/11
• Modern port security commenced during
World War I when Congress passed The
Espionage Act of 1917 when a German Uboat destroyed American munitions stored
on Black Tom Island situated of the coast
of New Jersey
• It also marked the link between Coast
Guard authority to scrutinize vessels
anchoring and leaving American ports
Coast Guard Power Strengthened
•
•
•
The power of vigilance the Coast
Guard maintained on the ports went
through an up and down process as
wars initiated and ended
By 1972, Congress passed the Ports
and Waterways Safety Act not only
officially establishing the Coast Guard
as primary protectors of the nation’s
ports but also bolstered its powers as
well
Congress authorized the Coast Guard
to, “carry out or require measures,
including inspections, port and harbor
patrols, the establishment of security
and safety zones, and the
development of contingency plans and
procedures, to prevent or respond to
acts of terrorism.”
Coast Guard Responsibilities up to
9/11
• Coast Guard oversight powers at the ports
only waned by the end of the 20th century
as it was now involved in law enforcement
tasks, more specifically, interdicting drug
trafficking and preventing illegal
immigration
• The Coast Guard also coordinated and
directed responses to environmental
hazards in the American seas.
Port Security Post 9/11
• Even as 9/11 was transpiring, officials already
conjured manners in which to introduce the
Coast Guard back to a more regulatory position
within the ports.
• The Coast Guard itself formed their own three
prong agenda for port security encompassing a
pushing of borders out (greater surveillance of
questionable activity before it got to an American
shore); forming a layered defense; and utilizing
risk-based decision making
Empowering Legislation
• Indeed, three successive pieces of
legislation clearly enumerated the new role
the Coast Guard would assume:
• Homeland Security Act (2002)- Congress
effectively placed both law enforcement
and regulatory powers with concern to port
security in the hands of the Coast Guards
while also including them within Homeland
Security
Empowering Legislation (cont’d)
• Maritime Transportation Security Act (2002)among other obligations, this act strengthened
the Coast Guard’s power of oversight on
waterfront facilities and vessels engaged in
foreign trade (example: the Coast Guard
compelled to implement security plans to reduce
possible losses in the eventuality of a terror
attack), Coast Guard captains were now Federal
Maritime Security Coordinators working with
private firms and local government to jointly
respond if something does occur, and conduct
research on port security of other nations who
send cargo to American ports
Empowering Legislation Part III
• International Ship and Port Facility
Security Code (2002)- almost mimics the
previous legislation in that it goes into
specific detail as to how the Coast Guard
will examine port conditions in other
nations and compel vessels and facilities
dealing in international trade to create and
follow their own security plans
How Does this Affect South
Florida?
• Even though all the aforementioned history of
port security before and after September 11th is
done through a national scope, it does maintain
a relevance to South Florida given the national
importance of the Port of Miami
• With the world’s No. 1 multiday cruise passenger
total, 3.9 million a year, and the state’s largest
container port handling 1 million units, port
security is not a lightly taken issue.
Port of Miami
Homeland Security Link to Port of
Miami
• Homeland Security holds a two-fold connection
with the Port of Miami:
• 1) Homeland Security appropriates
approximately $400 million in grants for the
security of port of which the Port of Miami gets
$2.5 million
• 2) As stated earlier, the Coast Guard captain in
his capacity as Federal Maritime Security
Coordinator works with Mayors Carlos Alvarez
and Manny Diaz along with port director Bill
Johnson to create security schemes and allocate
the budget properly
Where do Appropriations Go?
• Expenditures of the grant money consist of
purchasing or upgrading security
equipment such as video surveillance
systems, vehicle inspection stations, and
closed circuit telecommunications.
• Furthermore, as the launch pad for the
Homeland Security Initiative, the Port of
Miami invested in innovative security
techonologies
New Technology
• Most new technology centers around
cargo inspection.
• These high-powered viewers are either
gamma rays generated by increased
concentrations of Cesium 137 radioactive
isotopes or X-rays
• Specialists say that one is not better than
other but they actually complement
themselves
New Technology Images
Codename: Hawkeye
• The Coast Guard has additionally set up a network
called Hawkeye interlocking long range optical cameras
with RADAR, Geographic Information System, and a
vessel identification system.
• Concern grew as to how all these functions work
cohesively without any technological interference to lack
of protection from external elements
• Therefore, the Coast Guard enlisted Motorola and their
PTP 400 Series Point to Point Ethernet Bridges which
not only linked all the abovementioned elements but also
included radio transmission.
Grave Impediments
• As much as Homeland Security provides
necessary funds and even though their
allocation is not questionable, shortcomings of
port security are readily apparent
• For example, the Hawkeye system has come
under fire lately given it confuses waves with
boats, does not cover the whole of the port,
cameras lack power, and only a small
percentage of alerts are actually vessels
Further Grave Impediments
• Moreover, the unifying software that would
decipher all the information Hawkeye brings has
yet to be installed in Miami
• Even if the technology lived up to its potential,
the Coast Guard, given their dire need of funds,
do not armed vessels or planes to readily take
care of a threat
• Jay Carafano, a senior partner at the Heritage
Foundation, states, “The United States is
wasting money by doling out millions of dollars
in port security grants that are not adding much
security”
Still More Impediments
• The Florida Ports Commission is also finding
other ways to fund their security budget as
Homeland Security grants d not suffice
• At times, Florida ports like the Port of Tampa and
Miami divert capital improvement funds to cover
the security budget
• In order to remain competitive, both among
themselves and with other ports, Florida ports
will begin issuing credit worthy bonds with lesser
high capital costs
Last Set of Impediments
• Another trend emerges in that monitors
linked to Hawkeye are being left
unattended
• While there is no law or regulation
imposing an officer to be watching at all
times, it becomes disconcerting that a
fleeting moment of inattention could pose
a serious problem
Conclusion
• Thus, what transpired on 9/11
continues having repercussions on
the citizenry’s daily lives both
nationally, and as seen with the Port
of Miami example, as well as locally
• And while Homeland Security is doing
an adequate job in coordinating and
directing national security
schematics, it must foment research
in technology further and provide
acceptable personnel, both in number
and in training, by granting more
monies
• Conclusively, all routes must be taken
if the ultimate intention is to protect
our great nation.