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From the Los Angeles Times

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Airport screening process may be revamped, TSA chief says

TSA Administrator John Pistole says airport security procedures may be overhauled to focus on intelligence gathering and change the way children are searched. Also, JetBlue and American Airlines face possible fines for stranding passengers.

by Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times

November 6, 2011

In appearances before Congress, Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole has strongly defended the airport screening process that treats everyone the same, including infants and the elderly.

But in his latest testimony before a congressional panel, Pistole changed his tune and began talking about overhauling the system to focus on intelligence gathering and targeting those travelers the TSA knows the least about.

"Since I became TSA administrator, I have listened to ideas from people all over this country," he told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. As a result, he said, the agency is moving in the new direction by expanding several pilot security programs and changing the way children are searched at airport security checkpoints.

But don't expect the changes to cut down on the long lines at checkpoints during this holiday travel season. TSA's revised security procedures probably won't be expanded nationwide for several months, an agency spokesman said.

A test program that began last month at four airports — Miami, Dallas, Detroit and Atlanta — lets passengers who volunteer personal information zip through a special screening lane without having to remove their shoes or jackets. Pistole told lawmakers that it has worked so well that he wants to expand it to more airports. There is no word yet on when the program might be tested at a Southern California airport.

"We are working closely with other airlines and airports to determine when they may be operationally ready to join," he said.

In another program that was tested at Boston's Logan International Airport, special behavior detection officers chat with passengers in the terminal to detect suspicious behavior. Pistole said the program was recently expanded to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to collect more data on its effectiveness.

Pistole said the agency also has changed its policy for searching children younger than 12. TSA agents now have the discretion to pat down youngsters or require them to remove their shoes.

"By streamlining procedures for these lower-risk passengers through programs like these, TSA is better able to focus its finite resources on those who pose higher risks to transportation," he said.

• Two airlines may be fined for stranding passengers

JetBlue Airways Corp. and the parent company for American Airlines could face stiff fines for stranding hundreds of passengers in planes on an airport tarmac for seven hours during a snowstorm last month, but a lawyer who specializes in business litigation says passengers probably can't sue over the ordeal.

JetBlue has apologized and offered to refund the airfares and pay for round-trip tickets for future travel for passengers on six JetBlue flights that were stranded on the tarmac at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Conn., during a heavy storm that disrupted thousands of flights.

Under U.S. Transportation Department rules, airlines that keep passengers in a grounded plane for three hours or more for domestic flights or four hours or more for international flights, can be fined up to $27,000 per passenger.

The agency is investigating both airlines, but a spokesman said the rules exempt airlines that keep passengers on the tarmac because trying to return them to the terminal disrupts airport operations or creates a safety or security problem.

Since the rule that took effect in April 2010, the agency has yet to fine any airline.

It's possible that the once-stranded passengers will get nothing more from the airline than the apology, the refunds and the extra airline tickets, said Hugh Totten, a Chicago attorney who has represented airlines in business litigation.

"While the new federal regulation limits tarmac delays to three hours, there are several exceptions to the rule," he said. "Exceptions such as 'disruption to airport operations' or 'passenger safety' have been put in place, leaving passengers with no leverage for filing suit."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-20111107,0,5486773,print.story

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From Google News

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Kalamazoo marijuana signs say 'vote yes' to 'improve public safety'

KALAMAZOO — In the lead-up to Tuesday's Kalamazoo city election, yard signs have popped up around the city imploring residents to vote yes on a city-charter amendment to “improve public safety.”

The signs don't mention that the proposed amendment is about marijuana and that the improvement backers are seeking is to make the possession of an ounce or less of the drug the “lowest priority” for Kalamazoo law enforcement.

One sign was placed at Crosstown Parkway and South Westnedge Avenue, three blocks west of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety headquarters.

Unruffled by its vague message, Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley can only guess what the sign is getting at: “By us not focusing on marijuana, making it less of a priority, in their estimation it frees up ... public safety officers to focus their time elsewhere,” he said.

Hadley's take on that suggestion: Possession of an ounce or less of marijuana isn't a first priority anyway.

“If we get a an anonymous call that someone is smoking marijuana on their porch, we're not running lights and sirens out there,” Hadley said.

The Kalamazoo Gazette was unable to reach Louis Stocking, head of the Kalamazoo Committee for Pragmatic Cannabis Laws, for comment about the yard signs.

The proposed charter change that readers will see on the ballot Tuesday reads, “Shall the Kalamazoo City Charter be amended such that the use and/or consumption of one ounce or less of usable marijuana by adults 21 years or older is the lowest priority of law enforcement personnel?”

Hadley said that “the charter amendment has no impact on Public Safety because the charter amendment can only address violation of city ordinance.

“We do not have a city ordinance that addresses possession or sale of marijuana,” he said. “It's really moot.”

http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette_impact/print.html?entry=/2011/11/kalamazoo_marijuana_signs_say.html

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Iowa

Keeping watch

Jones looks out for neighbors, community

When residents in the Coleman District of Fort Dodge got tired of people committing crimes in their area, and wanted to bring beauty and safety to their neighborhood, they took action by forming a Neighborhood Watch group.

One of the group's founders, and current leader, is Dennis Jones.

"We were having problems with people in the neighborhood committing vandalism, and there were some burglaries going on," he said. "We decided to group up and try to control them."

Neighborhood Watch groups are composed of people in a specific area who come together to make a difference in their community. This includes watching out for crimes and just being good neighbors.

In Coleman, Jones spread the word about the group by passing out fliers to everyone in the 10-block area the group covers.

Jones said most neighbors responded well to the group. He said many were concerned about what was going on in their community and wanted to make a difference.

He said changes began happening within two months of the group's formation.

"We had meetings on the first Thursday of every month," he said. "We got more people involved, and more started happening."

One of the first changes was the amount of vandalism decreasing.

"It slowed way down," he said. "We got people involved and they started to look out for what was going on."

Though the group made Coleman a better place, Jones admitted that initially parts of leading it were difficult.

"It was challenging because we had people who were very argumentative," he said.

While there were challenges, Jones said he had assistance from a number of people. They included Webster County Supervisor Eddie Peterson and Fort Dodge City Councilman Don Wilson.

Jones said the Fort Dodge Police Department and Webster County Sheriff's Office also provided much-needed assistance.

"They would go out of their way to provide extra patrols if we requested them," he said.

Jones said what made it easier to lead was when more people became active in the group. He said the group has about two-thirds of the community involved, which is about 30 people. And although the group isn't as active as it once was, Jones is hopeful that will change soon, mostly due to the new members who are joining.

"The younger generation is starting to come in now," he said. "I'll drive around four to five times per day to keep a lookout in the neighborhood, but since the younger people get home earlier than some of us, they patrol the neighborhood before we do. If there are any problems, we communicate with each other."

He has seen the results of Neighborhood Watch firsthand. While driving around Coleman, he pointed to some overgrown bushes and trees, and said the entire neighborhood used to be overrun by them before Neighborhood Watch started. He said several members teamed up to help a neighbor who had old pieces of furniture covering that property. Over the course of several weekends, Jones said the group helped that neighbor get rid of all the unneeded items.

Coleman Neighborhood Watch also teamed up with the city of Fort Dodge to demolish an abandoned house. Jones said the group is looking at possibly turning the property into a park.

Even creating the Neighborhood Watch signs was a community effort. Members came together to create a flower bed where one of the signs would be placed. Jones said a few women in the community take care of the flowers by watering them and removing weeds. Another neighbor created the lettering for the sign, which welcomes people to Coleman and states that it's a Neighborhood Watch community.

Jones said he's also attended several Neighborhood Watch conferences, including one in Des Moines. That has helped him gain more knowledge about the group's mission, and has enabled him to become a mentor to new groups that form. Just last month, Jones spoke at a Neighborhood Watch block party at Reynolds Park, where one group is trying to start up again after becoming inactive over the past few years.

"They're starting a group up there on the north side, and we're going to help them organize," he said. "I'm hoping it works for them up there."

Jones is proud of Neighborhood Watch, and the community respects him in return. He said his neighbors have given him the nickname "Mayor of Coleman."

"I love telling people about Neighborhood Watch and how you can do anything you want," he said. "I guess you could call it a family. We have a picnic every year, and this year we did a town cleanup, which was the first time we've done that."

He added the work isn't always easy, but it pays off in the end.

"It's not one of those things that happens overnight," he said. "But I believe in Neighborhood Watch. It's proven out here that if people want to get involved, things can be accomplished."

http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/543700/Keeping-watch.html?nav=5010

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Indiana

Watch program gaining steam

Gambill recently told The Brazil Times the group has had three different classes at this point, with a fourth planned Monday at 6:30 p.m., at the Staunton Community Center.

Gambill said the first three classes focused on identifying suspicious behavior, reporting behaviors and creating ways to make homes safer against burglary or home invasion.

He said Monday's class will focus on identity theft.

Gambill said the program was initially meeting on Sundays, but changed the day due to lack of attendance.

"It has fluctuated," Gambill said regarding attendance, adding the class average so far has been approximately 10 residents.

"The last meeting, we had three or four new people," he added.

Gambill said the group has discussed possibly having an entry in the annual Christmas In The Park Parade, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 25.

"Things have been going real well," he said. "I think the people are starting to use the skills they have learned in the classes. They are actively watching (their neighborhoods)."

Currently, the neighborhood watch block captain is Cindy Grove.

Even though the program is moving forward and residents are learning through the classes, Gambill said citizen patrols -- something many neighborhood watch programs conduct -- may not take place in Staunton.

"That may not happen," Gambill said. "They're still trying to get their core group set up."

According to Gambill, neighborhood watch programs exist through a National Sheriff's Association and the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Association, Office of Justice partnership.

Gambill said neighborhood watches promote unity within a community while also making neighborhoods safer, as well as improving the quality of life within communities and working one-on-one with law enforcement officials.

Since the Staunton group began, Gambill said he's had other county towns express interest in watch groups.

"I've actually received contact from Lewis Township," he said. "I think (neighborhood watches) are pretty important because (the sheriff's department has) limited man-power. These people in their communities will be witnesses to crimes."

http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1781689.html

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