"Missiouri airport security budget concerns"

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Airport security budget concerns
By CJ Cassidy 
KFVS-TV UPN Ch 12, Cape Girardeau (MO)


CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO --The 9-11 attacks led to tighter security across the
country. Cape Girardeau police hired two additional officers to patrol
the local airport; their salaries are paid by the federal government.
But staff cuts put those officers back on street patrol.

This means police will now have to juggle patrolling the airport in
addition to their regular duties, adding up to a lot of overtime and
overworked cops. "Our Transportation Security Administration Officers
are trained to check the baggage; they have high tech equipment to do
that, but they do not carry weapons. So we have police here as backup,"
Assistant Airport Project Manager Kristi Thurman explained.

"We are transferring people from staff positions that are normally here
at the station performing duties, so they can go to the airport and
perform normal duties although that's an inconvenience," Police Chief
Steve Strong says. He points out the reason for the shortage of cops on
the street; low pay compared to other cities. "Because of shortages
currently 31% of my patrol division is unable to work independently,"
Strong said, adding, "We're not competitive with other departments in
Southeast Missouri."

Of course Strong knows just how important a police presence is even at a
smaller airport like Cape Giarardeau. "That became more important after
9-11. As part of our agreement with TSA, if I do not have officers there
full time; I will be able to respond within a specific time period if we
do not do this we won't be able to have commercial flights," Strong
says. "Once they are screened here, they get to Saint Louis you do not
go through screening once again so it is very important we maintain high
security at this airport," Thurman says.

Chief Strong says the department is down 3 officers. He expects that to
reach five by next month.


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