"Security tightens at Tucson airport"

Saturday, February 8, 2003
 
Security tightens at Tucson airport
By Tim Steller 
THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR 


Travelers can expect to see longer lines at the U.S.-Mexico border and
closer inspections at Tucson International Airport now that the country is
at high risk for terrorist attacks. 

Those are among several changes, most of them subtle, that people in
Southern Arizona may encounter after Friday's announcement by Homeland
Security Secretary Tom Ridge. 

At the border, inspectors will be taking a closer look at who and what
crosses, said Joe LaFata, the U.S. Customs Service port director at Nogales.


"We're going to look at more documentation, question more people and look at
more vehicles," LaFata said. 

That may mean longer lines, although Mexican travelers have in the past
compensated for increases in U.S. security by staying at home, keeping the
lines normal. 

Officials at Tucson International Airport resumed searches of all commercial
vehicles entering the airport on Friday. Those searches had stopped while
the nation was at normal threat levels, but they resumed after the
announcement, said public relations administrator Viki Matthews. 

Also, she said, 15 parking spaces within 300 feet of the terminal will be
closed in accordance with national airport guidelines. 

Airports across the nation will require that luggage be checked at the
airport, as opposed to curb-side or hotel check-in, said Suzanne Luber, the
Southwest regional spokeswoman for the Transportation Security
Administration, which handles security at the airport. She added that there
will be an increased law enforcement presence at the airport. 

Travelers at the airport were largely unmoved by the change in alert status,
but Curtis Daily, of Portland, Ore., questioned why the change to "orange
alert" isn't more prominently displayed. 

"Why isn't there a traffic light to tell us? Here we are, blindly flying
into danger," Daily said, while awaiting a flight to his hometown. 

Fort Huachuca-based soldier Ben Davis said he was aware of the change. 

"Being in intelligence, I can understand to take it seriously when something
is going on," Davis said while waiting to go home to Utah. "This doesn't
deter me from traveling." 

Law enforcement agencies across the state are preparing to respond to an
emergency. 

Chuck Blanchard, the state director of homeland security, said Arizona is
responding with round-the-clock staffing of the domestic preparedness center
operated by the Department of Public Safety. That center is designed to
receive and process tips and other intelligence gathered by local police
agencies. 

Also being activated is the state's emergency operations center, Blanchard
said. That facility is responsible mainly for coordinating state and local
agencies after an incident. 

Blanchard said after a conference call with Homeland Security's Ridge that
he is convinced the change in alert status is "real and meaningful." But he
said Arizonans should continue about their business and simply be more
watchful. 

The main water utilities serving Tucson have increased security at their
facilities. Bob Barrett, spokesman for the Central Arizona Project, said
patrols by armed, certified peace officers have increased. 

"We've told our employees to be more alert and report anything that's even
vaguely suspicious," Barrett said. "All gates and all pumping plants are in
a lock-down condition." 

Mitch Basefsky, a Tucson Water spokesman, said the utility has received no
information about specific threats, but that the utility is now at the
middle of three security levels. 

Critical facilities have been identified and plans for increased security
are in place, Basefsky said. If a reason emerges to believe water utilities
may be targeted, security measures would increase and include more employees
participating in a 24-hour watch. 

Tucson police upped their Major Action Plan by one level in response to the
change in alert status, said Sgt. Judy Altieri, a department spokeswoman.
The change from the department's lowest level of alert means the agency's
Police Operations Center will be set up, but not staffed, she said. 

The center is a room in the department's main station, 270 S. Stone Ave.,
from which officials can run emergency operations. 

She said police have no evidence of a credible threat to the Tucson area,
but field officers will conduct increased checks of areas that have been
identified through previous threat assessment as possible targets. She would
not identify those areas. Staffing will remain at normal levels, she said. 

The Pima County Sheriff's Department responded similarly, said Sgt. James
Ogden, a department spokesman. 

He said officials have asked field deputies and detectives to be more aware
of their surroundings and pay more attention to telephone lines, government
buildings, railroad tracks and other potential targets. He said no
additional staffing is slated. He encouraged anyone who has
terrorist-related information to call 547-TIPS. 

The heightened alert did not affect Tucson's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base or
the Army's Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. 

Spokesmen for Southern Arizona's military bases said they maintain their own
security standards, which are based on Defense Department rules, not
Homeland Security advisories. 

Fort Huachuca was already at "a level of security that will handle the
current situation," said spokesman Frank Shira. 

D-M spokesman Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson said security measures there "have
been at a higher level for months."

Attached Graphic:

Terror Alert Warning Raised to Orange

0208-terror-alert-A1.gif