James Carlino: Local Law Enforcement Plays Key Role in Airport Security

NEW YORK, NY, August 13, 2012

Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, airport security has grown increasingly rigorous. The TSA, in particular, has worked around the clock to ensure that air travel is as safe and as secure as possible--sometimes serving in the face of severe criticism. In many ways, the efforts of the TSA go underappreciated, but a recent news article sheds some light on the important actions that the TSA has taken to keep airline passengers safe. The article has won the attention of Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Chief of Police and airport security expert James Carlino, who has responded by saying that, in the quest for greater airport safety, local law enforcement also plays an indispensable role.

According to the article, the TSA has successfully intercepted many weapons or potential security threats before they are brought onto airplanes. Some of the statistics are sobering: In the past year alone, the TSA has intercepted more than 1,300 firearms that travelers have attempted to sneak onto planes. In addition to these guns, the TSA has detected hand grenades, knives, and even brass knuckles and throwing stars; the organization has also found weapons hidden in a variety of ways, such as in hollowed-out books. The TSA provides security to 450 airports across the country, and leaped into action largely as a response of the 9/11 attacks.

When the TSA detects these prohibited items and security threats, it often calls in local law enforcement agents to help them properly confiscate the items in question and, when needed, take would-be security threats into custody. This fact is important to note, says James Carlino. Carlino, who has worked in law enforcement for 25 years and is a nationally known expert on airport security, has issued a new statement to the press, responding to the TSA article.

"Keeping air service safe is everyone's job in our industry," says James Carlino. "Local law enforcement plays an important role in this process when called in by TSA for prohibited items that they may locate. "

For James Carlino, these measures at preserving airport security are vital, and should be seen as a matter of paramount importance--an attitude that is echoed by TSA public relations manager Kawika Riley. Praising the TSA agents and law enforcement personnel who work to detect threats and keep airport secure, Riley says, "They really consider it a call to duty."

Riley also notes that the TSA is constantly moving toward improving its own security measures, and that the goal is for it for becoming "a higher performing, counter-terrorism agency."

ABOUT:

James Carlino is a Chief of Police and public safety expert with more than two decades of experience in fire response, EMS, and airport law enforcement. He has commanded security teams in some of the nation's busiest airports, and has received extensive training with the United States Air Force. Carlino currently lives and works in Sarasota, Florida, where he remains a vocal champion of the key role local law enforcement plays in maintaining rigorous airport security.

Website: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carlino