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More ferries security nonsense
Jan. 28th, 2009 09:48 amFrom today's T-C:
Terror expert says ferries need armed officers
Canwest News ServiceJanuary 28, 2009 8:01 AM
B.C. Ferries needs an armed peace officer on vessels travelling major routes to protect the ships from attack, says a terrorism expert.
John Thompson, an analyst with the Toronto-based Mackenzie Institute, said the $5.6 million announced by the federal government this month to beef up security at B.C. Ferries will do little to prevent an attack by terrorists. The money will likely be used to install fencing at ferry terminals, more TV monitors and more security training for employees, B.C. Ferries said.
"If they're just talking about new cameras, new lights and new passive defences I don't think much of it," said Thompson, who has researched security on B.C. Ferries vessels "from a bad guy's point of view." He said these measures will deter routine criminal behaviour such as vandalism, but more security is needed in areas like the bridge to deal with a terrorist attack.
Many ferries in the U.S., such as those in the harbour of New York City, have armed security officers onboard, said Thompson.
B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said the costs of having an armed officer onboard must be weighed against the risks. "We have over 500 sailings per day throughout the fleet and the majority of those go just fine."
The company has added patrols by bomb-sniffing dogs at its terminals after a number of bomb threats disrupted service. Thompson said such measures will improve security significantly.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
***
Honestly, what bushwa.
What is this "armed peace officer" going to do, sailing back and forth, back and forth, all day between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, swilling free coffee and scarfing down White Spot burgers every 2-3 hours? I suppose they could use him to take down that kid who got caught shoplifting a roll of Mentos from the gift shop. 'Cause there's only one Bruce Willis, and he's busy.
These expensive yet ultimately token gestures at security do nothing whatsoever to prevent actual incidents. I think they don't even make people feel safer: if anything, they drive home how powerless "ordinary people" are (or are supposed to be), so that one Special Constable with a handgun will save them from the Big Bad Men - meanwhile, keep in line there, you.
Terror expert says ferries need armed officers
Canwest News ServiceJanuary 28, 2009 8:01 AM
B.C. Ferries needs an armed peace officer on vessels travelling major routes to protect the ships from attack, says a terrorism expert.
John Thompson, an analyst with the Toronto-based Mackenzie Institute, said the $5.6 million announced by the federal government this month to beef up security at B.C. Ferries will do little to prevent an attack by terrorists. The money will likely be used to install fencing at ferry terminals, more TV monitors and more security training for employees, B.C. Ferries said.
"If they're just talking about new cameras, new lights and new passive defences I don't think much of it," said Thompson, who has researched security on B.C. Ferries vessels "from a bad guy's point of view." He said these measures will deter routine criminal behaviour such as vandalism, but more security is needed in areas like the bridge to deal with a terrorist attack.
Many ferries in the U.S., such as those in the harbour of New York City, have armed security officers onboard, said Thompson.
B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said the costs of having an armed officer onboard must be weighed against the risks. "We have over 500 sailings per day throughout the fleet and the majority of those go just fine."
The company has added patrols by bomb-sniffing dogs at its terminals after a number of bomb threats disrupted service. Thompson said such measures will improve security significantly.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
***
Honestly, what bushwa.
What is this "armed peace officer" going to do, sailing back and forth, back and forth, all day between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, swilling free coffee and scarfing down White Spot burgers every 2-3 hours? I suppose they could use him to take down that kid who got caught shoplifting a roll of Mentos from the gift shop. 'Cause there's only one Bruce Willis, and he's busy.
These expensive yet ultimately token gestures at security do nothing whatsoever to prevent actual incidents. I think they don't even make people feel safer: if anything, they drive home how powerless "ordinary people" are (or are supposed to be), so that one Special Constable with a handgun will save them from the Big Bad Men - meanwhile, keep in line there, you.
