EDITORIAL: Airport screening still needed

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April 9, 2008

Staff Reports The Journal-Register Wed Apr 09, 2008, 05:38 PM EDT

According to an Associated Press report this week, Homeland Security officials have reported no would-be suicide bombers have been discovered in four years. To most, that brings on a huge sigh of relief. For some, the question of increasing the staff of departments like the Transportation Security Administration, which look for such wrongdoers, may not be necessary. Along with increased staffing also comes increased funding. That too is being questioned by some.

The TSA is operating in a $45 million budget this year. Today, there are about 1,200 of the agents at 70 large airports. That number is expected to double to 2,400 at 160 airports by September, and grow to 4,000 by mid-2009, according to the AP.

Still more numbers: Of the more than 104,000 air travelers who were plucked out of security lines and subjected to a more intense level of screening because of something suspicious in their demeanor, fewer than 700 were ultimately arrested, officials said.

For us, 700 arrests varying from serious violations to false IDs is enough to keep us encouraged by staffing levels and increased security.

We’ve all heard the stories of little old ladies being shook down at the airport because of random screening. That may be going a little too far. But the idea of increasing security to keep even more eyes on passengers and potential threats outweighs any criticism of the random screening.

Right now, if someone looks a little shady, federal officials will pull that person aside and question the individual. Some may think it’s profiling, but the idea of being safe and secure has to win out.

It’s much like local traffic stops and seat belt checks. If you’re not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about, even if you are asked a couple questions. We do it every time we cross in and out of Canada, and again, that’s for all of our safety.

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