Perimeter Breaches at JFK Airport Raise Security Concerns

Perimeter Breaches at JFK Airport Raise Security Concerns

A pair of recent breaches through a supposedly secure fence has become a cause for concern

  • By Matt Holden
  • Jun 22, 2015

A so-called “Smart Fence” at JFK airport has become a cause for concern after two separate instances of failing to identify intruders.

The system has high-tech sensors and hundreds of cameras surrounding the airport, and it is designed specifically to detect intruders.

The first incident occurred near the end of a runway when someone jumped the fence in order to go fishing. The subject was never identified by the fence and wasn’t caught until a patrol noticed him. He got away.

The very next day, two boaters become stranded near another runway when their boat broke down. In an attempt to call for help, they tied their boat to the airport’s security fence and waiting 20 minutes before anyone arrived.

Port Authority said in a statement, "The safety and security of our airports is a top priority. We have made significant investments in personnel and technology that go above and beyond federal security standards to protect our airports' perimeter."

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

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