'Virtual fence' security for New York JFK

Officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have unveiled comprehensive new safety measures for the region's airports.

It was announced that a $138 million “virtual fence” modelled on that used at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, will encircle New York JFK airport, in light of new security fears.

Local residents had complained that security had remained lax at the airport since 9/11, with the recent exposure of a plot to ignite a fuel pipe at New York JFK sparking further concern.

However, Adam Hicks, Port Authority Spokesman, said that the new measures would use thermal imaging, video motion detectors, CCTV, and sensors to beef up airport security and hopefully allay local concerns.

He commented: "We've invested hundreds of millions of dollars. Security has always been a priority," reports AM New York.

Gregory Meeks, New York Congressman, told the newspaper that the city would continue to pursue improved airport security.

"We want to make sure there's more security, more cameras, more training and more coordination between the Port Authority and the NYPD," he said.

"We need to make sure when you're talking about homeland security dollars, it's distributed on a risk basis."

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Comments

[Brian F. Sullivan]

Has anyone checked to see if Logan Airport is in the running for funds for a "virtual fence"? Logan is a CAT X airport like JFK and LaGuardia. Shouldn't it have the same degree of security, or even more in view of the fact that two planes were hijacked from Logan on 9/11?