Calls for Security Review after JFK Airport False Shooting Claims

Calls for Security Review after JFK Airport False Shooting Claims

  • Aug 22, 2016
The panic and chaos following a false report of an active shooter at JFK Airport has resulted in a suggested review of security procedures at the popular traveling hub.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer publicly asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to investigate how law enforcement agencies handled the false report. Schumer said the lack of collaboration among governmental agencies in responding to the Aug. 14 incident created chaos and thrust the overall security of the airport into question.

The false alarm, reported by two travelers after hearing loud banging noises, resulted in terminal evacuations, flight cancellations and heavy traffic around the airport. The large noise was later found out to be a crowd of people cheering on an athlete on the television showing the Olympic Games.

Schumer questioned security lapses, such as blind sports in camera coverage and why police are not given immediate access to private airlines’ security footage. He also asked that training of Transportation Security Administration officers be reviewed as well. He believed they added to the growing chaos by yelling, “bomb” and “someone’s been shot.”

New York Police Department Commissioner William Bratton said the incident would serve as a learning lesson for police. The NYPD responded to the incident with about 400 officers.

 “We all have to do better at airports,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

 

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