Security Increases In S. Fla. Ahead Of 9/11 Anniversary
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – With the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks just a few days away, the U.S. government said Thursday night that a "specific and credible" threat has been discovered by intelligence officials.
At Miami International Airport, the threat hasn't spawned any additional security checks as of Friday morning. Airport spokespeople said the facility will keep security at a high level which will include dogs doing random spot checks, among other measures.
"Our officers are advised to remain alert at all times and we continue to make any necessary adjustments to achieve our number one priority, which is public safety," said Miami-Dade Police Det. Alvaro Zabaleta.
Fort Lauderdale International Airport stepped up its security to check luggage and passengers as they prepared to fly over the weekend.
Broward Sheriff's Office deputies are conducting random searches with a checkpoint that will be moving around all weekend.
"Most of the time, police dogs are trained to get drugs, but they're also trained to find powders and explosive and things like that, so it limits opportunities for terrorists to do anything to us as this time," sad Keith Damron who had his car searched.
The checks are usually less than a minute and most people say it's no big deal. Many passengers appreciate the added layer of security.
"We never know anymore who we can trust and who we can't trust," said traveler Nidia Argueta. "So the random checks are great at the airport, perfect."
Still, BSO said there's plenty of things going on you will never see.
"A lot, you'll see, most you want see," said BSO chief Roy Liddicott. "Behind the scenes between us, the airport, and TSA and other agencies that work here, everybody's kind of ramped up things a bit."
Public transportation around South Florida is also seeing more security. Officers from the Domestic Security Task Force are fanning out all over the rails from West Palm to Miami. Aside from warding off trouble, they're hoping to get people to use their eyes and ears to notice problems. The motto: "If you see something, say something."
"We have behavioral protection officers on the rails also," explained Domestic Security Task Force Sgt. Pete Andreu. "We're looking to see if there's anyone acting suspicious, anybody that might have seen something at the stops to say, 'hey, I saw a package left unattended at this location."
