Los Angeles Airport Police on heightened alert after Bin Laden's death

Los Angeles Airport Police on heightened alert after Bin Laden's death

2011-05-04 06:49:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- The Los Angeles Airport Police said on Tuesday it is on a heightened alert at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and other airports after a U.S. operation led to the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers' Associated (LAAPOA) said in a statement that the measure is taken as a precaution and that it wants to reassure the public of safety and security at its airports.

"Our specially trained aviation police officers work closely with airport management and the other federal and local law enforcement agencies at LAX and other Los Angeles World Airports to ensure the safety of passengers, airport employees and the surrounding communities," said Marshall McClain, president of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers' Association.

He added: "Because of our specialized training and being 100 percent dedicated to protecting LAX, the airport is one of the most secure airports in the country and one of the safest places in Los Angeles. We have no intention of letting that change."

The Los Angeles Airport Police said it wants to remind the general and traveling public to report any suspicious behavior they may see to the authorities.

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Airport Police also said it would step up security at its airports after a terrorist attack at Frankfurt Airport in Germany that left two U.S. airmen killed.

The last terrorist attack at Los Angeles International Airport happened on July 4, 2002, when Egyptian-American Hesham Mohamed Hadayet opened fire at an El Al ticket counter, killing two people and injuring four others. Hadayet himself was killed in the attack, which officials said was over the U.S. support for Israel.

Prior to that, three of the four planes used as part of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were originally heading for Los Angeles. In addition, al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed Ressam attempted to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve 1999.

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