PORT SAFETY AND SECURITY

Overview

The Port of Los Angeles, combined with the Port of Long Beach, is one of the world’s busiest port complexes, handling 43 percent of the containerized freight that enters the U.S. In addition to containerized freight, the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex handles over a million cruise passengers, half a million autos, and over 50 percent of California’s oil. The port complex is a driving force in the economic well-being of Southern California, and the United States.

There are over 50 major facilities within the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex, and each type of facility has unique features that affect its vulnerability and the potential threat of a terrorist action. Additionally, the port complex has a number of key infrastructure element items including the Vincent Thomas Bridge, Gerald Desmond Bridge, Badger Avenue Railroad Bridge, and Commodore Heim Bridge. Key infrastructure includes ship channels, berths and wharves, container cranes, petroleum and chemical cargo handling systems, electrical power distribution systems, railroads, and roadways.

The size and complexity of the Port of Los Angeles presents unique safety and security challenges. The Port Police, Port Pilots, Wharfingers and Homeland Security personnel work tirelessly to make the Port safe and secure. The 2007 Strategic Plan for Safety and Security outlines 19 key initiatives in the areas of public safety, homeland security and emergency preparedness that will allow the Port to focus its efforts in those areas where it can achieve maximum effectiveness.

Public Safety Initiatives

Key to the 2007 public safety efforts are initiatives that will allow for the expansion of the Los Angeles Port Police and enable it to put more vehicles on the streets and boats on the water. In order to accomplish this goal, the Port of Los Angeles is looking to markedly enhance its recruiting efforts and improve its police support services, including a significant enhancement of its communications capabilities. The initiatives in this area include:

• Expanding Port Police personnel and operations
     o Establishing a 24 hour two-vessel presence
     o Establishing a vehicle and cargo inspection team
     o Establishing a Port Police substation in Wilmington

• Enhancing recruiting and retention of Port Police personnel

• Expanding Port Police communications capabilities to include addition of
   dedicated tactical frequencies

• Enhancing security at Port owned facilities

• Implementing a “Green Marina” Program

Homeland Security Initiatives

In the area of homeland security, the Port of Los Angeles will continue to embrace technology, while focusing its efforts on those areas of particular interest to the Port. These areas include enhancing security at the World Cruise Center, controlling shoreside and waterside access to Port facilities and critical infrastructure and updating security plans to reflect the current state of security. The initiatives in this area include:

• Upgrading security at the World Cruise Center

• Expanding the Port’s waterside camera system

• Establish restricted areas for non-commercial vehicles and vessels

• Installing additional shore-side cameras at critical locations

• Working with Transportation Security Administration to implement the    Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program

• Promoting increased scanning at overseas ports

• Updating long range security plans for the Port

• Developing a security awareness training program

• Enhancing outreach to constituents

Emergency Preparedness Initiatives

In 2007 the Port will begin to increase its focus on the response and incident mitigation aspects of its safety and security program. Most importantly, a new focus will be placed on the Port’s role as a Port community, and a key partner of such agencies as the Los Angeles Police and Fire departments in the protection of the Port community. A prominent example of this partnership will be a realistic multi-agency evacuation exercise that will involve the Port and the community. The initiatives in this area include:

• Complete upgrades to the Department Operations Center

• Begin installation of a Port-wide emergency public notification system

• Continue development of the business continuity plan

• Update Emergency Procedure and Port recovery plans

• Conduct a real-time evacuation exercise involving the Port and the community

All efforts will be directed towards the goals of establishing the Los Angeles Port Police as the world’s premier maritime law enforcement agency and enhancing its leadership role in the area of homeland security. It is the intention of the Port of Los Angeles to be the safety and security model for major ports around the world.