Union Seeks More Patrols At Van Nuys Airport In Wake Of Security Breaches

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Union representatives Tuesday will request for city leaders to boost patrol-officer staffing at Van Nuys Airport in an effort to prevent additional security breaches from happening.

According to the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA), there have been three security breaches involving vandalism at the airport in recent months.

"Perimeter breaches are happening at Van Nuys on an all too frequent basis," LAAPOA president Marshall McClain said. "Most of these incidents involve someone simply climbing over the fence or cutting their way through it. These breaches could be prevented or mitigated by adequately staffing patrol officer positions at the airport."

The first breach took place in December when vandals used bolt cutters to bypass the fence and spray paint three private jets.

In March, a man crashed into a plane after he drove his vehicle through the airport's fence.

Earlier this month, someone climbed the airfield fence and caused more than $10,000 in damages to a car and two planes.

Councilman Bob Bluemfield called on Los Angeles World Airport officials last week to give a report on the security breaches and offer a "corrective action plan."

At 1:00 p.m., union representatives will speak at the City Council's Innovation, Grants, Technology, Commerce and Trade Committee meeting in downtown Los Angeles.

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