EDINBURG AIRPORT SECURITY IN QUESTION?
Third Trip to Edinburg Airport Uncovers Lax Security
Wednesday , September 12, 2007 Posted: 12:19 AM
Airport Security Investigation
Related Stories:
Monday , September 11, 2006Private Planes Possible Terrorist Weapon
Monday , September 11, 2006NEWSCHANNEL 5 Investigates Security at Small Airports
City manager says contractor left the gates open
EDINBURG - Six years after the September 11th attacks many small airports remain vulnerable to terrorists.
Counter-terrorism experts tell NEWSCHANNEL 5 Al-Qaeda could be plotting to steal a small plane, pack it with explosives, and fly it into a high-value target like a crowded building or stadium.
The government is working with small airports to improve security measures.
NEWSCHANNEL 5 put the new security to the test at an airport we have documented security problems with before.
Will Ripley managed to walk through an open gate and wander around the Edinburg Airport for more than half an hour, gaining access to many restricted areas.
During the time, Will even questioned pilots about stealing aircraft.
Airport Director Deborah Melvin called police and reported Will Ripley for entering a restricted area.
Once the police arrived, they issued a warning for criminal trespassing.
Edinburg City Manager J.J. Rodriguez says a contractor working on a new warehouse left the gates opened and failed to report Will Ripley when he entered the area.
"I think what we need to do is address it to the contractor immediately in order to avoid this from happening again," says Rodriguez.
He tells NEWSCHANNEL 5 new security measures have been put in place since our visit to the airport a year ago.
New security cameras are in place, and there's a direct phone line to the government.
The city promises the Edinburg Airport is more secure but says more needs to be done.
HERES MY TAKE ON THIS STORY:
It's funny when you think of how our city shops around for talent. That lady on the news clip supposedly heading up the Director of Airport position I won't mention any names, but just ask our council members how much qualifications she had prior to EARNING(wink wink) such POSITION. Oh and ask the council what job she had prior to such position, the answer will shock and amaze you as to how our city picked this woman to head up the airport gig and how our city SHOPS around for TALENTED WELL QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO RUN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT(another big ol wink wink, ok my eye stayed shut on that one).
MY ADVICE TO OUR COUNCIL:
Can't we get anyone better for these security sensitive positions? And if I get the reply of "well she was the leading candidate for the job" I will first fall off my chair in utter disgust, then I will dish out what I know of her job history prior to Airport Director and we'll just let the readers decide if they think this Director is well qualified or if it was a lapse in judgment on our council's part. City Manager= questionable, Airport Director= definitely questionable or even underqualified. I mean the journalist was at the airport in broad daylight, wheres the director? Was anyone working at the time? I didn't see no security around in the video.
Wednesday , September 12, 2007 Posted: 12:19 AM
Airport Security Investigation
Related Stories:
Monday , September 11, 2006Private Planes Possible Terrorist Weapon
Monday , September 11, 2006NEWSCHANNEL 5 Investigates Security at Small Airports
City manager says contractor left the gates open
EDINBURG - Six years after the September 11th attacks many small airports remain vulnerable to terrorists.
Counter-terrorism experts tell NEWSCHANNEL 5 Al-Qaeda could be plotting to steal a small plane, pack it with explosives, and fly it into a high-value target like a crowded building or stadium.
The government is working with small airports to improve security measures.
NEWSCHANNEL 5 put the new security to the test at an airport we have documented security problems with before.
Will Ripley managed to walk through an open gate and wander around the Edinburg Airport for more than half an hour, gaining access to many restricted areas.
During the time, Will even questioned pilots about stealing aircraft.
Airport Director Deborah Melvin called police and reported Will Ripley for entering a restricted area.
Once the police arrived, they issued a warning for criminal trespassing.
Edinburg City Manager J.J. Rodriguez says a contractor working on a new warehouse left the gates opened and failed to report Will Ripley when he entered the area.
"I think what we need to do is address it to the contractor immediately in order to avoid this from happening again," says Rodriguez.
He tells NEWSCHANNEL 5 new security measures have been put in place since our visit to the airport a year ago.
New security cameras are in place, and there's a direct phone line to the government.
The city promises the Edinburg Airport is more secure but says more needs to be done.
HERES MY TAKE ON THIS STORY:
It's funny when you think of how our city shops around for talent. That lady on the news clip supposedly heading up the Director of Airport position I won't mention any names, but just ask our council members how much qualifications she had prior to EARNING(wink wink) such POSITION. Oh and ask the council what job she had prior to such position, the answer will shock and amaze you as to how our city picked this woman to head up the airport gig and how our city SHOPS around for TALENTED WELL QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO RUN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT(another big ol wink wink, ok my eye stayed shut on that one).
MY ADVICE TO OUR COUNCIL:
Can't we get anyone better for these security sensitive positions? And if I get the reply of "well she was the leading candidate for the job" I will first fall off my chair in utter disgust, then I will dish out what I know of her job history prior to Airport Director and we'll just let the readers decide if they think this Director is well qualified or if it was a lapse in judgment on our council's part. City Manager= questionable, Airport Director= definitely questionable or even underqualified. I mean the journalist was at the airport in broad daylight, wheres the director? Was anyone working at the time? I didn't see no security around in the video.
posted by THE POLITICAL RING | 9:45 PM
13 Comments:
Someone please give the details hear, the Ring Master is teasing us. I feel like just watched a season finally and I cant find out who shot JR till next season (sorry for the younger crowd pretend it was the season ender for ER, if that is still too old try the Sopranos, ok ok Scooby Doo before Velma pulls off the mask)
Ms Melville DIRECTOR OF THE EDINBURG AIRPORT was the SECRETARY to The City Engineer Mr.Isael Posadas prior to becoming the DIRECTOR OF EDINBURG AIRPORT, wow! Very Qualified huh?
Our Current City Manager was assistant City Manager forever and has a Political Science degree from UTPA, again WOW! Very Qualified.
Our TAX dollar pay these individuals' SALARY, it's not like the council has there own stash of money hidden away somewhere paying these people, so why aren't we getting THE BEST QUALIFIED? We the citizens don't care who (the Council) owe favors to, we WANT THE BEST QUALIFIED.
Political Ring
First let me say that I owe JJ or Ms. Melvin NOTHING (no favors)! Second, Council does not hire those positions, our charter states very clear that we can not get involved in day to day hiring (yes that means directors too). Mrs. Melvin is not a director, she is Airport manager. I must say that I don't think you looking at this with both eyes open. I believe the only thing we did wrong was not arresting the reporter. He clearly read the signs that said "no trespassing". I’m not trying to make up excuses, but once we have a FBO at the airport and the cargo facility open this problem will not be happening. Remember she is not acting security; she is there for day to day operations. Once this airport fully opens there will be security on airport grounds.
"but once we have a FBO at the airport and the cargo facility open this problem will not be happening."
Mr.Espinoza,
Thanks for your clarity, can you explain the acronym in your statement "FBO" so that those who aren't familiar with the term can better understand.
Director-Directs
Manager-Manages
But if there isn't anyone on site, whats the difference? Is there a Director Position? NO
Manager Position? Yes, Ms Melvin.
LACK of Security wasn't the only ISSUE here Mr.Espinoza, THERE WAS NO PERSONNEL. Mr.Rodriguez, security was nowhere to be found and I believe that is WHAT THE STORY WAS ABOUT. Only 2 people packing and boarding a cezna were on sight in clear daylight. The Reporter wasn't looking to cause mischief but to alert the people of such UN-ATTENDED site of IMPORTANCE. WHY THE ARREST IF THE REPORTER WAS USING VIDEO TO INFORM THE PEOPLE? THAT IS WHAT AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER DOES. HE SIMPLY UNCOVERED A STORY, THE ARREST SHOULD OF BEEN MADE ON THE AIRPORT MANAGER FOR DETAINING WITHOUT AUTHORITY. LAST I CHECKED MS MELVIN DIDN'T HAVE ARREST OR DETAINING POWERS. Mr.Ripley can very easily discuss this DETAINING AGAINST ONES WILL with an ATTORNEY and that MANAGER OF AIRPORT COULD COST THE CITY QUITE A BIT IN LEGAL and COURT FEES. You need to look at this issue with both eyes Mr.Espinoza and realize that this city Employee who isn't a Law Enforcement Official CANNOT DETAIN OR HOLD a PERSON ON PREMISES AGAINST THERE WILL LEGALLY. You wanna chant about TRESPASSING well then give the reporter a ticket for doing so well then lets compare apples with apples on that same note, Ms Melvin DETAINED Mr.Ripley and Cameraman by Locking the DOOR with her keys, barking orders to the reporter to sit down and that the police were on there way. So what you're saying is that if a burglar enters my home, I can detain him til police arrive? Cmon Mr.Espinoza, who's failing to see this ISSUES with both eyes here? The law was broken by both parties. If you wanna compare that, then you compare TRESSPASSING to DETAINING A PERSON AGAINST THERE WILL.
False imprisonment is the unlawful restraint of an individual's personal liberty or freedom of locomotion: AGAINST THE LAW, This Airport MANAGER had no clue of standard PROTOCOL, why? BECAUSE SHE'S NOT QUALIFIED TO HANDLE SUCH A JOB OF THAT MUCH RESPONSIBILITY. REMEMBER these airports however small still have to adhere to Federal and State laws.
So is Ms Melvin apart of SECURITY DETAIL? I thought Mr.Rodriguez was the Security guy.
This Airport Manager may cost the city a great deal, either TRAIN her to do her job correctly, relieve her of her duties before she causes a greater mistake, or SEEK BETTER QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, RATHER THAN GETTING SOME OF THESE SECRETARIES FROM WITHIN. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT AREN'T QUALIFIED TO DO SUCH JOBS.
NOW YOU SAY THE COUNCIL DOESNT HAVE SUCH POWERS AS TO HIRE OR RUN DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS, BUT YOU CAN MAKE A SUGGESTION IN COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED HERE. WHAT WILL THE CITY DO IF LETS SAY MR.RIPLEY WANTED TO SUE THE CITY FOR FALSE IMPRISONMENT?
Please look into FAA rules a little closer. I support what she did. Fine if he wanted to make a point, then it was made. However the man was on airport gounds without permission. Why not check in and do a walk through? Again the airport has no policing right now. Once the fxed based operator is in place this wouldn't happen. Now do you not think if this reporter was sneaking around McAllen airport that he would not be detained??? Yes he would. Theres a protocol that everyone should follow, (reporters as well) Now maybe we should train some more but please to say, just issue a ticket and be on your way??? He did wrong and he even admits he was afriad he was going to jail. So if someone is caught wondering around the offices of city hall(without permsission)you think he should not be detained and questioned? I still support her actions. He should have checked in at office. By the way Mr. Rodriguez is not a security guard. Oh and yes if you catch someone in your house you CAN legally detain him!!!
The Texas Constitution
Article 1 - BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 8 - FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS; LIBEL
Every person shall be at liberty to speak, write or publish his opinions on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege; and no law shall ever be passed curtailing the liberty of speech or of the press. In prosecutions for the publication of papers, investigating the conduct of officers, or men in public capacity, or when the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence. And in all indictments for libels, the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other cases.
THE POLICAL RING's interpretation of the law:
(INVESTIGATING THE CONDUCT OF MEN OR WOMEN IN PUBLIC CAPACITY IS LEGAL WHEN THE MATTER IS PROPER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION, THE TRUTH MAY BE GIVEN IN EVIDENCE AND THAT’S WHAT THE VIDEO AND THE REPORTER DID.)
SUBCHAPTER B. ESTABLISHMENT, ACQUISITION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND DISPOSAL OF AIRPORTS AND AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES
(b) An airport, air navigation facility, or airport hazard
area that is controlled and operated by a local government and that
is located outside the territory of the local government is,
subject to federal and state law, under the jurisdiction and
control of that local government. Another local government may not
impose a license fee or occupation tax for operations on the
airport, air navigation facility, or airport hazard area.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 22.015. ENFORCEMENT OF RULES. To enforce an ordinance,
resolution, rule, or order adopted under Section 22.014(a), a local
government, by ordinance or resolution as appropriate, may appoint
airport guards or police, with full police powers, and establish a penalty for a violation of an ordinance, resolution, rule, or order, within the limits prescribed by law. A penalty is enforced
in the same manner in which a penalty prescribed by other ordinances
or resolutions of the local government is enforced.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
THE POLITICAL RING's interpretation of the law:
Ms Melvin is no Municipal Government Law Enforcement Official; Therefore has no DETAINING POWERS)
READ UP ON YOUR LAWS!!
TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS
If I may, I think we loose the point, the reporter didn't seem to be there to ask for a guided tour, his story was the lack of security. It looks like the gate was open where there was construction, so there was an issue of security at the airport. It is foreseeable that this could be an issue during a construction project so the monkey falls on the managers back for ultimate responsibility.
It seems that right now until we have an FBO, all employees and management have a role in security, but the reporter caught the airport with its pants down.
1. I have a question for Mr. Espinoza who hires these positions and does the council have any say?
2. What were the qualifications posted for the job as I assume it was advertised. (Hell sometimes the I think the whole world might be more efficient if managed by a good secretary, so I am not saying she is not qualified, just trying to get to the Ring Master's initial point ...
Both of you should cut down on the coffee before you post (sorry more attempted humor)
Having my coffee now. I am on my way to a conferance now, will try to write later. PR and Dac, you made your points. There is probably more we can discuss on this matter but for now I have to go earn a buck for the family. Have a good day.
Councilman Espinoza,
I was going north bound on jackson street in front of Delavina Elementary School where the school speed limit light was blinking yellow which means for traffic to slow down to 20MPH, well a new white f-150 single cab truck with the City of Edinburg logo on its door zoomed by going at least above 40MPH weaving through school traffic. This vehicle wasn't a police unit and clearly it was a single driver male. The truck had a black number on the side reading 809 and this was at approximately 2:40pm right in front of Delavina Elementary school. This city worker had no business going that fast in school traffic.
I agree!! I will find out who was driving and have that director talk to him. There is NO excuse for that. That is a very busy road! Thanks for info!!!
Guess we will never know.
Mr. Espinoza, at an airport, security is everyone's responsibility. Ms. Melvin's responsibility is not only "day to day" duties. Oh, and FYI, your possible/proposed FBO may be a little questionable. You might want to take a harder look at that.
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