Military

DATE=12/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=L-A/PORT SECURITY (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-284118

BYLINE=MIKE O'SULLIVAN

DATELINE=LOS ANGELES

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The joint port shared by the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach is the busiest harbor complex in the United States. Officials worry that it could be a target for terrorists. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles that officials have unveiled recommendations for tougher security measures at the port.

TEXT: /// OPT ACT -- FOG HORN ///

A task force formed after the September 11th terror attacks in New York and Washington proposes background checks for Los Angeles port workers and drivers, who would be issued photo identification cards.

The task force also suggests the purchase of additional gamma-ray imaging devices to check the contents of shipping containers, as well as the deployment of additional Coast Guard and port police patrols. Finally, the task force recommends that a hazardous materials team be assigned permanently to the harbor complex.

Local officials are asking the U-S Congress to pay for the upgrade, which is estimated to cost between 500-million dollars and one-billion dollars. Congresswoman Jane Harmon, a Democrat from Los Angeles, predicts a fight in Congress over the price of the upgrade by Republicans who want to control government spending.

/// HARMON ACT ///

Partisan fights are totally inappropriate right now on the issue of port security.

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The cost of added security is not the only issue likely to spark debate. A union for port workers argues against the proposed security checks, which would look into immigration status and whether the workers have a criminal record.

The United States Senate is considering a measure to tighten security at all of the country's 360 ports. (Signed)

NEB/MOS/TW