"San Antonio workers may replace police at airport"

Tuesday, September 16, 2003
   
City workers may replace police at airport
By Jonathan Bloom
News 9 San Antonio (TX)


The plan would eliminate the airport's security contract and four vacant
police jobs. It would replace the police with sixteen new city workers who
are authorized to write tickets.

Less than a week after the anniversary of Sept. 11, the city of San Antonio
could be making some budget cuts in airport security. 

A group of police officers aren't happy about the plan, even though it would
actually increase staff size.

The new city plan would pull the officers off the curb and back inside the
terminal.

"We'll be hiring what's called parking enforcement officers, and they will
be able to write tickets, and they'll be located in areas where a law
enforcement officer is not required," San Antonio International Airport
representative Lara Uselding said. 

The city currently hires a security firm to provide backup to police. They
said they need more bodies to control traffic. 

The plan would eliminate the security contract and four vacant police jobs.
It would replace the police with sixteen new city workers who are authorized
to write tickets.
    
Currently, the airport uses a security firm to provide backup for police. 
  
"We'll be increasing our security personnel here at the airport, increasing
security, increasing jobs, but to a $300,000 savings to the city," Uselding
said. 

That worries the association that represents the airport police. They said
having sworn and trained police officers out here on the curb is a critical
first line of defense. 

"Our trained police officers outside working traffic, they're the first ones
that view visitors to the airport," Texas Municipal Police Association
representative Jeff Ward said. "We're taking them away and replacing them
with inexperienced security officers."

Police advocates like Ward worry the new parking officers won't be able to
head off trouble before it enters the terminal. 

"Well they certainly won't be able to make an arrest on anyone out there,"
Ward said. "Nor will they have the training to recognize suspicious behavior
-- or criminal behavior as it occurs."

The city said otherwise.

"They will have training that will be specific to airports and airport
security, because that is our number one issue here in this matter,"
Uselding said.
    
Police officers patrol the curb outside the airport's terminal.

The police association suggested a compromise. The recommend hiring 12 new
cops instead of 16 civilians. 

The cost is about the same. However, the city said it won't work. 

"We need 16 bodies to handle these positions due to our security needs and
patrol needs," Uselding said. 

Police argued that safety should be the number one priority. 

"Well then if they need 16 more people, then hire 16 more police officers,"
Ward said. "What's more important -- the safety of our airport or the
economics?

Economics could win, unless police can convince the city before the budget
vote on Thursday. 

Police officers stationed at the airport make around $39,000 a year. The new
parking officers would get paid just under $28,000.


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