Airports in South Florida Could Get More Scanners

Our Miami criminal defense attorneys have been following the story of the attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines jet during the holidays and are interested to see how this will impact passengers here in Florida. The Miami Herald reports that the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports will likely get additional scanners later this year.

The Transportation Security Administration is planning to add 450 more scanners nationwide, and the recent bombing attempt has made members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee more resolute on the need for airport security. Says Sen. Joe Lieberman, “we may not be so lucky next time, which is why our defenses must be strengthened.”

However, the American Civil Liberties likens the scanners to an electronic strip search. And some worry that allowing TSA officials to single out passengers for additional screenings could criminalize the innocent based on ethnicity or physical traits. The TSA assures people that the scanners cannot save, print, or transmit images to protect people’s privacy.

Source: South Florida airports may get additional scanners, Miami Herald, December 30, 2009
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