INDUSTRY FOCUS

Ready Set Tackle

Being a TSA agent at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport doesn’t mean you have to understand the game of football or does it?

On June 18, Tyrese Garner, 19, showed up at Sky Harbor apparently in a bigger hurry than any other passenger to board a flight to—well, by his actions he was going straight to jail. It seems he was in such a hurry to get through the security checkpoint that he rushed several TSA agents, wounding five of them. One agent was seriously injured enough that the person was taken to a local hospital.

Garner pushed through a security checkpoint, and what is generally an orderly procedure, turned to chaos.

“At approximately 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, multiple TSA officers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were attacked by a male individual who attempted to rush through the security checkpoint in Terminal 4. TSOs and officers with the Phoenix Police Department who are assigned to the airport immediately intervened and subdued the individual who was subsequently arrested,” said TSA officials in a press release. “The unprovoked and brazen physical attack against our TSOs is unacceptable. We are grateful for a committed workforce and for the role they play in protecting the traveling public every day. We continue to monitor the safety and health of the TSOs involved in this incident and will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”

In the video of the attack, he appeared as a football running back; three yards and a cloud of dust. Garner pushed past other passengers waiting in line. He charged through a metal detector into the secure area and punched a female TSA screener, knocking her to the ground. Garner then punched four other TSA screeners as he tried to charge into the concourse.

Several TSA staff finally took Garner to the ground and held him until police arrived.

According to the official report, Garner of Lubbock, Texas, may have some mental health issues. I think that goes without saying. Officers had to take the man to the ground again where they held him until fire department staff arrived and strapped him to a gurney.

After viewing the video, I have to applaud TSA screeners and staff for taking this man down, and acting in a professional manner. Garner was booked on suspicion of criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and five counts of assault.

First of all, the airport security line is no place to practice football. TSA staff do take their jobs seriously, and thank goodness for that. Well done, TSA defense.

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2019 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.