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 U-boat 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.