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Union rep says LAX expansion overshadows security

By WTOP Staff

KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A union representative for police officers who secure Los Angeles International Airport told members of Congress Thursday he still has concerns about a manpower shortage and a lack of coordination and communication with the Transportation Security Administration nearly seven months after a gunman killed a TSA officer and injured three others.

Marshall McClain, testifying Thursday before a House subcommittee, said that the airport has been increasing its size and passenger levels, but that the number of “sworn officers” responsible for helping secure the airport has gradually declined in recent years. His written testimony cited 514 police officers in 2010 versus 495 this year.

A subcommittee with oversight over transportation security called on McClain and other airport security officials to discuss lessons learned from the Nov. 1 shooting.

McClain says lawmakers should urge airports receiving substantial federal money to station more local police officers in screening areas. He said that when the shooting took place, there were two police officers assigned to that particular terminal, which he said was typical. He also emphasized the need for panic buttons and greater use of closed-circuit televisions and called ID systems.

A review of the emergency response by the Los Angeles World Airports found that lapses in communication and coordination led to delays in responding to the gunman and providing aid to victims. Lawmakers also noted Thursday that panic buttons at the checkpoint were not in working order and emergency responders could not communicate via radio.

McClain told the committee that LAX has been the focus of some of the country’s most high-profile crime incidents, citing an attack by a limo driver that killed two people and injured four others at Israel’s El Al Airlines ticket counter. On the general policing side, he said the number of reported crimes increased 10 percent in 2013, with an average weekly arrest rate of 24.

“I am concerned that airport management at LAX is not balancing policing and security with their ambitions to physically expand the airport and market it as a destination for world travelers,” said McClain, president of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association.

In a statement, Gina Marie Lindsey, the Los Angeles World Airports executive director, took issue with McClain’s assertion, saying LAX’s security budget has increased about 16.6 percent over the past six years, from $126.3 million to $147.2 million. The airport also has 12 major security-related projects ongoing that will require an investment of more than $200 million. Those projects include such things as a closed-circuit television system, an airport response coordination center, miles of perimeter fencing and explosive detection systems. She also said the number of hired sworn officers has increased by about 9 percent since 2008, citing different numbers than those used by McClain.

“The safety and security of the traveling public, employees and visitors to Los Angeles International Airport is our highest priority,” Lindsey said.

Rep. Richard Hudson, the chairman of the House Homeland Security transportation security subcommittee, said he remains impressed by the planning and execution of incident responses at LAX, but he wanted to make sure all airports were aware of best practices. Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson said it may not be possible to prevent a disturbed individual from firing on strangers in a public setting, but that should not stop efforts to improve responses.

Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, recommended to lawmakers that the TSA require active shooter training for all airport employees, including tenants.

Frank Capello, the aviation security director at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in South Florida, said more training and more federal funding is needed. However, funding for a federal program that reimburses airports for security measures has decreased significantly in recent years.

The hearing Thursday was the subcommittee’s second in response to the shooting. Lawmakers visited Los Angeles International in March for the first hearing.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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