CCTV At Airports Gets $7.7 Million

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to install $7.7 million worth of new CCTV systems at several airports across the country.

The airports include Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Spokane International, Gerald R. Ford International and Boise, Idaho.

The fund will be provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The closed circuit surveillance systems will provide the airports with a high level of threat detection and will enhance emergency response and risk mitigation.

Closed circuit surveillance systems are used at hundreds of airports across the country, and TSA has collaborated individually with 62 airports nationwide to expand these sophisticated and integrated security networks.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 19, committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA). Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $700 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $300 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technology.

To learn more about ARRA projects, visit www.dhs.gov/recovery.

New TSA Liaison: Listen To GA

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has named Juan Barnes as a dedicated general aviation liaison specialist to assess and address concerns from pilots and aircraft operators.

The agency will also begin holding monthly teleconference calls specifically for the industry (the first was March 25).

The relationship between TSA and GA is not at optimum levels, due to initiatives including the Large Aircraft Security Proposal, and Operation Playbook spot check program for FBO operations at commercial airports.

The liaison position was created to "promote effective and responsive communications" between TSA and general aviation interests. TSA's General Aviation division has also created a new e-mail address to allow inquiries on agency programs, policies and security directives.

Inquiries will be sent to appropriate personnel, reviewed, and an answer sent back within two business days. E-mail TSAGeneralAviation@dhs.gov.

E-mail can be sent to Barnes at juan.barnes@dhs.gov.