Mayor Hahn Directs LAPD to Reassess Security Measures at Department of Water and Power Following the 9-11 attack, an independent study determined the kinds of measures needed in order to bolster security

August 12, 2004

Los Angeles - Mayor Jim Hahn was joined today by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Commander Mark Leap, Chief of LAPD’s Counter Terrorism Bureau John Miller, Commissioner Silvia Saucedo, and Interim General Manger Henry Martinez to announce that LAPD will reassess security measures at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which supplies water and power to 3.8 million users in the City of Los Angeles.

“Today, I am directing Chief Bratton and his counter terrorism experts to thoroughly review security procedures at LADWP from top to bottom because I want to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect our vital resources, and most importantly, the health and safety of all Los Angeles residents,” said Mayor Hahn.

In the aftermath of September 11th, Mayor Hahn commissioned an independent study to determine the kinds of measures the LADWP needed to undertake in order to bolster security. Based on that study, LADWP developed a five-year, $132 million program to enhance security.

Since completion of the study, LADWP has:

	Increased daily sampling and testing of water quality;
	Installed security cameras at critical facilities;
	Increased helicopter air patrols;
	Reinforced and added security barriers at water facilities; and
	Increased the LADWP security force to conduct 24-hour patrols of our critical facilities.

However, Mayor Hahn said that several recommendations for enhanced security made in the report require increased funding, which is why he has joined with the City Council to agree to a water rate increase, earmarking that money for major infrastructure security improvements.

“I want to reassure the residents of Los Angeles that we are working proactively to safeguard our water and power systems. We must commit to protecting these important facilities that keep our lights on and our water running. I know Chief Bratton and his team will provide the expertise we need to do that,” added Mayor Hahn.

The LAPD has already begun working to develop protocols specific to the critical water and power infrastructure at LADWP through the LAPD’s Operation Archangel. The purpose of Archangel is to identify and prioritize critical assets within the greater Los Angeles area (both publicly-and-privately-owned) and to develop plans to protect and defend these assets against catastrophic incidents, including terrorist attacks.

“We have been working with the LADWP on a weekly basis for a number of months on long term security issues. We are working with them to assess vulnerabilities and protective measures,” said John Miller.

The LADWP Commission has also established a consultative role with Chief John Miller's Critical Incident and Management Bureau. Commissioner Saucedo has set up a series of meetings to further these relationships to ensure that the critical infrastructure is protected. John Miller also said that when the terror threat level is elevated to orange, LAPD officers are positioned accordingly at LADWP, so that the facilities receive additional patrols during times of heightened awareness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click here for more from the Mayor:

Mayor's Office Press Releases

Office of Mayor James K. Hahn
200 North Spring Street, Room 300
Los Angeles, CA 90012

www.lacity.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~