One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Good News! The $1.6 Billion Poured Into LAX Since 9/11 Has Made It Safer
Photo by -Clearlight- via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
LAX is a safer airport than it was on September 11, 2001 thanks to $1.6 billion in improvements, according to a study released today.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa assembled a panel to review safety and security at LAX, which — as the third-busiest airport in the nation — is viewed as a potential terrorist target. About a year ago, security at airport was getting bad press, according to the Los Angeles Times, so the mayor brought together a panel to review safety and security checks at the airport. This 27-member panel included members with backgrounds in homeland security, law enforcement, academia, anti-terrorism, technology and emergency management. The head of the panel was Lourdes G. Baird, a retired federal judge.
Since 9/11, the airport has beefed up law enforcement staffing, expanded security operations and spent half of a billion dollars for new fences, barriers, security cameras, screening systems and an updated communications center. The report says that $1.6 billion poured into the airport has improved security significantly, but there is room for improvement.
"The report confirms what we know to be true: LAX is safe and is safer today than it was following 9/11," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, adding that the airport has already implemented many of the report's recommendations. "We will be taking concrete steps to further enhance security and protect the flying public."
There were 58 recommendations in the report. Collaborations between law enforcement agencies should be improved. Vetting for people who apply for security badges should be tightened. The security needs of private companies at the airport need to be addressed, and security procedures for cargo operations be reviewed more frequently.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
