New LAX Security: "complete, baffling randomness"
Sep 28, 2007 | 4:04 pm
#1
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New LAX Security: "complete, baffling randomness"
FTers though this was a bad dream. No, "they" actually adopted it: 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21035785/site/newsweek/
The Element of Surprise
Sept. 28, 2007 - Security officials at Los Angeles International Airport now have a new weapon in their fight against terrorism: complete, baffling randomness. Anxious to thwart future terror attacks in the early stages while plotters are casing the airport, LAX security patrols have begun using a new software program called ARMOR, NEWSWEEK has learned, to make the placement of security checkpoints completely unpredictable. Now all airport security officials have to do is press a button labeled "Randomize," and they can throw a sort of digital cloak of invisibility over where they place the cops' antiterror checkpoints on any given day.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21035785/site/newsweek/
The Element of Surprise
Sept. 28, 2007 - Security officials at Los Angeles International Airport now have a new weapon in their fight against terrorism: complete, baffling randomness. Anxious to thwart future terror attacks in the early stages while plotters are casing the airport, LAX security patrols have begun using a new software program called ARMOR, NEWSWEEK has learned, to make the placement of security checkpoints completely unpredictable. Now all airport security officials have to do is press a button labeled "Randomize," and they can throw a sort of digital cloak of invisibility over where they place the cops' antiterror checkpoints on any given day.
Sep 28, 2007 | 4:55 pm
#2
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They need to buy software to tell them that patrols should walk around different areas of the airport, changing the areas they patrol each day or shift? They need software to tell them that they can prevent patrol patterns by moving cops to different terminals, rotating them in and out of patrol duty, sending them to different airports, etc?
Sounds like money well spent
I guess I should go find some software to tell me how to brush my teeth.
Sounds like money well spent
I guess I should go find some software to tell me how to brush my teeth.
Sep 28, 2007 | 5:00 pm
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What exactly is "digital cloak of invisibility" supposed to mean? There are only so many places to put a cop in a building, and unless they're rendering the cops invisible themselves, then this consists of just not telling me where they're going to be. Which is what they already did. (I know, this is a reporter trying to sound important.)
I'm not a cop, but I'm guessing many of them will disregard this entirely and choose to follow the principles of basic police work, meaning, check out what looks out of place and don't tip off everyone as to where you're going to be.
I'm not a cop, but I'm guessing many of them will disregard this entirely and choose to follow the principles of basic police work, meaning, check out what looks out of place and don't tip off everyone as to where you're going to be.
Sep 28, 2007 | 5:42 pm
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It just gets dumber & dumber.
... and be sure to pass by the coffee & donut shops regularly.
Sep 28, 2007 | 5:46 pm
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That's why the new software helps, and the folks at LAX turned to the computer scientists at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering.
Ok, I haven't seen the software, but it isn't exactly rocket science to write a program that will produce random assignments to place LEOs.
Sep 28, 2007 | 5:57 pm
#8
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""makes travelers safer" and even gives them "a greater feeling of police presence" by making the cops appear more numerous. That's good for visitors, and, officials hope, bad for would-be terrorists."
That doesn't make me happier.
Whether the monkeys are throwing feces at each other, or whether they're all trying to hump the same football, the end result is the same: wasted money and harassed travelers.
That doesn't make me happier.
Whether the monkeys are throwing feces at each other, or whether they're all trying to hump the same football, the end result is the same: wasted money and harassed travelers.
Sep 28, 2007 | 7:49 pm
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Sep 28, 2007 | 9:31 pm
#12
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Yesterday they had random gate checks at LAX. Passengers were POed and the gate agents weren't happy as the TSa checked the last three standbys. The agents just wanted to close that aircraft door!
Sep 28, 2007 | 11:35 pm
#13
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Every day, Bastille Day draws closer. Gate harassment is disgusting. TSA employees should quit when forced to perform this unnecessary, un-American task.
Sep 29, 2007 | 12:14 am
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I bet the GA's were just as PO'd as the pax.