DHS to give more money for airport security

Baggage screening system

Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide approximately $78 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for airport security technology projects designed to both enhance the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to strengthen security at airports nationwide while stimulating the failing economy by creating jobs for Americans across the country.

“These state-of-the-art technologies will strengthen security for travelers by enhancing our capability to detect and disrupt threats of terrorism,” Napolitano said in a statement released by the agency. “Infusing these vital Recovery Act funds into critical airport security technology projects will create local jobs, streamline the passenger check-in process and bolster security at airports across the nation.”

The DHS funding includes $28.3 million for the installation of an inline baggage system at San Diego International Airport, $26.6 million for the installation of two inline baggage screening systems at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and $11.5 million for the construction of an inline baggage screening system at Little Rock National Airport.

Inline baggage screening systems use advanced technology to screen checked baggage for explosives. The systems also provide on-screen resolution capabilities for security officers screening baggage and reduces the number of re-scans or physical bag searches.

Additonal funds will be given to Salt Lake City International Airport, which will receive $4 million to expand their closed circuit television (CCTV) system. And DHS will also provide $6.9 million to assist with the installation of over 250 reduced-size Explosives Detection Systems (RSEDS) at more than 60 airports nationwide.

Recently, DHS also announced the deployment of advanced imaging technology (AIT) units to 28 airports across the country, the second set of airports to receive the so-called full body X-ray scanners.  GSN: Government Security News reported on May 26 that a group of doctors at the University of California at San Fransisco has sent a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology, questioning the safety of such machines.

And in an editorial published by GSN on May 6, Rafi SEla, president of AR Challenges, questioned the scanners suitability for security.

President Barack Obama signed the ARRA into law in 2009, committing more than $3 billion for improving homeland security. $1 billion was alloacated to the TSA's for aviation security projects of which $734 million was set aside for improving screening checked baggage and $266 million for checkpoint explosives detection technologies.