Fri, Nov 26, 2010
Hanni: District Attorneys Must Monitor TSA Procedures For
Sexual Abuse
Steve Wagstaffe, incoming Chief Deputy DA of San Mateo County,
CA, said his office will prosecute TSA employees who engage in
"lewd and lascivious behavior" while conducting Homeland Security
mandated pat downs at the San Francisco International Airport in
San Mateo County. "The case would be reviewed and if we could prove
the elements of it, that it was inappropriately done with a sexual
or lewd intent, that person would be prosecuted," Wagstaffe told
the Berman Post on Tuesday. The quote was included in a news
release from FlyersRights.org.
The airline passenger advocacy group says that any traveler who
believes the TSA pat down has crossed into the widely reported
"groping" of "sensitive personal areas" should take note of the TSA
staffer's name and badge. The traveler should immediately contact a
uniformed state or city police officer found at all screening areas
to start an investigation. Additionally, the local district
attorney's office should be called if a monitor is not in site. "We
expect a number of travelers to opt-out of the scanners and today
we call on California and national District Attorneys to send
monitors to airports to ensure TSA behavior does not cross into
sexual assault," said Kate Hanni, Executive director of
flyersrights.org.
The "enhanced" pat-downs have been the focus of a great deal of
media attention in recent weeks. Some state and federal elected
officials are calling for a TSA pat down review. FlyersRights says
it is joining the debate by calling for a suspension of TSA
"groping" pending a full public review.
"The Obama Administration has said the TSA rules are 'evolving'
and we say evolve faster. Cancel the groping today," Kate Hanni
said. "American travelers are not criminals just because they want
to get on a plane, or want to protect their privacy and don't want
to be groped. Fundamental American values are being violated in
airports and that is offensive."
FlyersRights.org agrees that layered levels of security are an
imperative, it's the layers currently being utilized that are
objectionable. Biometric Technology such as Fly Clear or Global
Entry should be immediately implemented so that TSA may begin
assessing the threats before they get to the airport. "We need risk
based, intelligence driven security that doesn't violate all
Americans who want to fly and who pose no risk."
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