Friday 28 August 2015

USA: San Jose Airport To Build Taller, Sharper Perimeter Fences

California's Mineta San Jose International Airport is poised to bolster its perimeter fences after local House members announced Monday that the airport will receive more than $3.4 million in federal funding, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

The money will go toward making the fences at the airport's north and south ends, which span 8,600 feet, taller and sharper, airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes told Mercury News.

The pending improvements are in response to an uptick in trespassers of late. By raising the fence height from six to 10 feet high and adding a foot of razor wire to the top, airport officials hope to have fewer incidents.

Smaller mesh will also make the fences harder to penetrate.

"Our airport is the gateway of choice for travelers, airlines and businesses in Silicon Valley," U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren said in a statement via the Mercury News. "I'm pleased that these important federal funds will be dedicated to keeping passengers, employees, and airplanes safe."

Fellow Rep. Eric Swalwell said the money represents a "big step closer to closing security gaps that threaten passenger safety" at the airport.

Completion of the fence project is expected in May 2016, Barnes said.

There have been a series of security breaches at SJC dating back to 2014. In addition to multiple stowaway incidents, trespassers have been detained on the tarmac and in other restricted areas. One of the stowaway cases involved the infamous serial stowaway Marilyn Hartman.

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