Security Briefs - April 15-21
The Latest Headlines:
- N.J. Officials Search for Missing Gasoline Tanker
- Ridge Says New Task Force to Improve Security Coordination
- FCC Votes to Boost Electronic Security for Containers
- EST Says Its New Product Detects Odors
- Ridge Says New Task Force to Improve Security Coordination
N.J. Officials Search for Missing Gasoline Tanker
A gasoline tanker truck has been missing from a parking lot in Pennsauken, N.J., for more than a week, and the New Jersey Office of Counterterrorism has asked all the state's law enforcement agencies to look for the vehicle, the Associated Press reported.The recently refurbished 1996 Fruehauf tanker, with "TK Transport" in large green letters on its side and the New Jersey license plate number T852SC, was last seen April 8, said Pennsauken Police Capt. Earl Griffin.
riffin also said the truck did not have any liquid in its chrome-plated tank, according to AP. Transport Topics
Ridge Says New Task Force to Improve Security Coordination
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Monday said he would create a government task force to coordinate security and strengthen the department's computer-based counterterrorism communications network, news services reported.Ridge said that beginning with the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington over Memorial Day weekend, a series of high-profile public events this year could make attractive targets for al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.
Homeland Security officials will be joined by representatives from nine Cabinet-level agencies on the task force that will try to improve security coordination.
In addition, Ridge said Homeland's counterterrorism communications network would be expanded to all 50 states, five territories, Washington, D.C., and 50 other major urban areas, the Associated Press reported. Transport Topics
FCC Votes to Boost Electronic Security for Containers
The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it approved technological enhancements to electronic security tags that would allow more thorough checks of sealed cargo containers.The FCC voted to allow longer and more powerful radio transmissions to and from the tags, so the contents can be more quickly identified.
It said in a statement the existing rules unnecessarily limited the range of the tags, and the speed and amount of data that could be transmitted.
Many containers from overseas ports are outfitted with electronic tags that act similarly to E-ZPass transponders. When these containers arrive at U.S. ports, officials can check the tag to get a reading on the cargo, and determine whether the container was tampered with or opened during transit. Transport Topics
EST Says Its New Product Detects Odors
Electronic Sensor Technology said Friday that its new “zNose” technology can recognize suspicious odors such as explosives, drugs, chemical weapons and money in cargo containers.The company said in a statement it has completed product testing and applied for certification as anti-terrorist technology with the Department of Homeland Security.
The technology can separate and measure the chemistry of any fragrance, odor, vapor or smell, the release said. And unlike trace detection technology, EST said zNose can recognize an unlimited number of chemical compound odors.
EST said the product could help shippers to meet security requirements under existing U.S. border and port programs. Transport Topics
