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Magazine: Logan's Become A Model Airport For Security

Logan, With $1B In New Security, At Forefront Of Increased Security

Since September 11, 2001, Logan Airport has been at the forefront of increased security measures and is now being featured in the latest issue of Time Magazine as a model for other airports across the country.

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Newscenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that more than $1 billion in security improvements have been implemented at Logan Airport since the terrorist attacks. Some measures are invisible to passengers, but all have been designed to make traveling a lot safer.

Among the new improvements is the Behavior Pattern Recognition program, where troopers casually stop passengers and ask a few low-key questions about them and their travel plans.

"If there is anything wrong with the answers they give to the troopers when they are asking them questions, they can dig a little further, get some more information," said Massachusetts State Police Maj. Tom Robbins.

Robbins would not disclose the exact criteria for singling out passengers, but he said they make decisions based on behavior or how passengers are traveling.

"Even if we are wrong and they are totally innocent, and 99.99 percent of people are, there really is no inconvenience with it," said Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Peter Didomenica.

Toronto traveler Dan Isakow was stopped by airport security and is impressed by the new security in place.

"I'm so innocent looking that I was quite surprised, but actually impressed that it is so random -- just asking people what they are doing here," said Isakow.

The BPR program is just one of the new post-Sept. 11 security measures in effect. Troopers patrol Logan's terminal with submachine guns, all passenger bags are screened for explosives, and boats in Boston Harbor are not permitted within 250 feet of airport property.

"Makes you feel they are doing the best job they can to make sure we're safe and I feel a lot safer on a plane than I have in a long time," said Denver's Annabelle Lukins.

Robbins said the airport's security improvements is an ongoing process.

"As information comes in from our federal counterparts and federal government intelligence comes in, we need to take active steps to offset what we think may be a loophole in the security system," said Robbins.

More security improvements are scheduled to be in place later in August, including the installation of shatterproof film on all the terminal windows, a first for the nation.


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