McGreevey announces added security

measures for NJ licensed airports and airfields

Governor urges New Jerseyans, travelers not to "be cowed by fear"

“We will not be cowed by fear, we will not put a halt to our lives,” said McGreevey. “Let me reassure you: Our airports are safe, our bridges are guarded and our railways are secure. This week I signed an Executive Order that deployed the New Jersey National Guard at our airports, as well as our tunnels, bridges, nuclear power plants, ports and trains.”

The Governor, along with the Office of Counter Terrorism Director Sid Caspersen and the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force, have worked to ensure that New Jersey’s airports, transportation network, schools and communities are safe and secure.

Specifically, the Task Force, under the leadership of Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere, has developed four amendments to current aeronautical facility licensing regulations that will allow for better coordination, response and preparedness at the State’s 486 licensed facilities. The Governor approved the Task Order today.

"The Department of Transportation is working around the clock to keep our citizens and transportation network safe," said Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere. "Daily we are reviewing our roadway and mass transit systems, finding ways to make them as secure as possible."

First, the amendments require that all aircraft which are parked or stored at a facility for more than 24 hours use a two-lock system which secures or disables the aircraft to prevent illegal or unlawful operation of the aircraft. The two-locks would be on the door, and somewhere else on the place such as the wheel or the propeller. There are currently no federal or state regulations that require small aircraft to have locks.

Second, the Order requires the posting of prominent signage at facilities showing clearly the telephone numbers and radio contact information for the facility owner, police and other emergency responders such as the State Police, NJ Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board.

Lastly, the Task Force recommends the installation of a passive internet-based video camera monitoring system at New Jersey’s 47 public use General Aviation airports that enables real-time remote monitoring of key airport areas and archives images in regular intervals. It also recommends that cell phones and pagers to be distributed to New Jersey’s 47 public use general aviation airport managers to link them with applicable state and FAA officials. The Governor has ordered these steps and the RFPs will be out in 90 days.

In addition to increasing security at New Jersey’s licensed airports, the Governor has increased the presence of the National Guard at New Jersey’s airports. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has also enhanced security at Newark Liberty International Airport. It has increased its police patrols, deployed State Police K-9 dog teams to supplement PA dog teams, enacted random vehicle inspections, restricted vehicles from parking within 300 feet of terminals, scan all checked baggage, and installed temporary signs asking the public to be aware of the increased threat level, as well as to report unattended bags and suspicious behavior.