U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), along with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Office of Law Enforcement and Federal Air Marshal Service Director Roderick Allison, highlighted a new security enhancement measure at the Albuquerque International Sunport on Friday.
Heinrich led the initiative to expand the number of visible intermodal prevention and response (VIPR) teams from 31 to as many as 60. The measure will enhance the security presence in pre-screening airport areas and other transportation facilities, especially in areas like baggage claim and check-in.
Additionally, the measure will update federal security programs to provide active shooter training for law enforcement and increase the number of bomb-detecting canine units at specified areas.
“I’d like to thank Director Allison for his leadership to strengthen security at our nation’s airports,” Heinrich said. “While we relentlessly target terrorists overseas, it’s critical that we make every effort to secure our airports, train stations, and bus depots, the places Americans rely on to go about their daily lives. That’s why I worked with leaders in both parties to create these additional safeguards. By employing these commonsense safety measures, we will intelligently respond to threats. And by preserving our freedom to go about our daily lives, we will ensure that the terrorists have failed to change who we are and how we live.”
The security measure was included in the bipartisan, bicameral Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension.