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Friends of Rocky Prairie Homeland Security Since 9/11, all transportation facilities have been affected by the need for increased security. As we have heard reported in the news, our nation’s Ports are potential “soft targets.” US Senator Patti Murray has said, “America’s ports are not as safe as they need to be to protect our people and our economy.” According to Murray, the reluctance of the federal government to fully fund maritime security mandates adds to her anxiety. “We’re falling short in two areas -- coordination and funding. The federal government has not provided enough direct funding to secure our ports.” According to the Port of Tacoma, only 5% of the containers that arrive at the Port are actually physically inspected. The Port of Tacoma utilizes two giant mobile (VACIS) units, similar to mobile x-ray machines, which are moved to different Port areas in order to randomly monitor shipments. They are far from having the capacity to monitor large volumes received, despite the notion that every container should be scanned for security purposes. The Port is still waiting for an RPM (radiation portal monitoring) system, which they hope to have installed by the end of 2007. This could detect radiation coming from suspicious overseas containers. • Area residents consider the risks – and are gravely concerned about the prospect of un-inspected freight coming from overseas transported to the SSLC -- having no knowledge or control of what is sitting near their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
• Communities along the transport corridors share
the same unsettling concerns. |
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