Ryan Carter
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport officials hope for a quick
completion of the installation of five miles of security fencing to
help buffer the airport from a terrorist attack. The perimeter
"hardening" includes combinations of razor wire, concrete barriers
and "W-railing," similar to the metal railing along freeway
embankments. The barriers are being installed around the entire
property.
Airport Public Safety Director Mike Post said the measures are
inevitably linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"[Sept. 11] did two things," Post said. "It created a new set of
security mandates passed down by the federal government. But it also
heightened awareness and changed the mind-set of American
institutions with regard to homeland security. As a result, here and
across the nation, it's been easier to envision things that can
happen right here at home. Security measures have to account for that
and take into account a larger group of threats than before."
The barriers are doubled up in some areas because of various
degrees of vulnerability, Post said.
"The only way to get in is to tear yourself up," he said,
referring to the razor wire.
Post said the measures will cost about $200,000 and are scheduled
to be done by the end of the month. Since Sept. 11, airport police
have conducted regular perimeter patrols, Post said.
The materials will create a safety barrier between the airport
grounds and any number of threats that range from a truck bomber to a
disgruntled stalker.
'"We've identified the possibility that someone could breach the
perimeter, and we wanted to cover as many threats as possible," Post
said. "It's not exciting, but it's important."
To install the fencing in some areas, some bushes needed to be
cleared to make the perimeter more visible, Post said.
Workers have completed about 70% of the project.
