Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Napolitano Gets Security Orders

WASHINGTON (CN) - Following the aviation and intelligence security reviews ordered by President Obama, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on Friday announced five actions the Department of Homeland Security will take to enhance aviation security.

Napolitano said the department would modify the criteria and process used to create terrorist watch lists, including adjusting the process by which names are added to the "No-Fly" and "Selectee" lists.

She didn't, however, specify what changes will be made to existing policy that might have prevented a Nigerian man from boarding a commercial flight on Christmas day with plans to bring it down over Detroit.

During a news conference, Napolitano said the department will deploy homeland security officers to serve as Federal Air Marshals and increase security aboard U.S.-bound flights.

Her department also will accelerate deployment of advanced imaging technology to identify certain materials, including those used in the attempted Christmas day attack.

The Transportation Security Administration currently has 40 such machines at airports throughout the United States, and plans to bring in at least 300 more in 2010, Napolitano said.

The department also will collaborate with the Department of Energy to develop more effective screening technologies.

Napolitano will travel to Spain later this month to help shape new international aviation security standards and procedures.

Her deputies, meanwhile, will fan out to major international airports to review aviation security.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...