Security Increased At Chicago Airports In Wake Of Istanbul Bombing
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Security has been increased at Chicago's airports, after at least 41 people were killed and more than 230 others were wounded in a suicide bombing at the main airport in Istanbul on Tuesday.
The earliest Wednesday flights from Turkey were not set to arrive until late in the afternoon, but already the shockwaves from Tuesday's bombings were being felt at O'Hare International Airport, and other airports like it all across the U.S.
The Chicago Department of Aviation said it is working with the Chicago Police Department and multiple federal agencies to monitor security issues, while any travelers at O'Hare wondered if the security perimeter around the airport's entrances should be widened.
TSA K-9 units walking the security lines at O'Hare were part of the ramped-up security effort in the wake of Tuesday's attack on Europe's third busiest airport.
"It happened again, and I'm not sure that there's a lot that we can do to prevent this kind of atrocity and terrorism. I think we really need to focus on where these people are at, and stop it ahead of time," said Kimber Vassilos, of Glenview.
Sources said Chicago police officers and aviation police have been concentrating their patrols on drop-off and pick-up areas outside the airport's many entrances. That's a direct response to the Istanbul attack, which happened outside of the airport's first security checkpoints.
Travelers at O'Hare said the airport's security perimeter should be widened as a result of what happened in Turkey.
"Maybe we need to change our security procedures, because we've got all this space that's unmonitored right in the front here," said Daniel Sliwa, of Lindenhurst.
Aviation expert Robert Mark said, even though changes are needed, they're also very challenging.
"We have nothing in place. We really don't, and it's not just O'Hare. I mean, every airport in the United States, almost every airport in the world has freedom of access up to the security points," he said. "This could take time, and in the meantime who knows how many more of these incidents people are going to try?"
Passengers at O'Hare were seemingly resigned to adding yet another layer of security if that's what it takes to ensure the safety of the flying public.
"What is concerning is that, because it's an entrance, that it's all-access, so anyone can really walk in or walk out. So, maybe applying some sort of security just to get into buildings, even if it's just a background check or something like that," said Athena Vassilos, of Glenview.
At Chicago's airports, only Chicago police officers and federal agents are permitted to carry weapons. Aviation police are not allowed to carry guns at O'Hare or at Midway International Airport. Critics said that must change if the city hopes to be able to respond adequately to an Istanbul-style attack.
The city does have armed Chicago police officers patrolling both airports. Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) has introduced a proposal to arm aviation police as well. Fourteen other aldermen have signed on as co-sponsors, and the measure has been assigned to the Committee on Public Safety.