Las Vegas Sun

November 16, 2009

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Editorial: Small airports at risk

Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | 9:02 a.m.

Earlier this month The New York Times reported that the Homeland Security Department is concerned about security at small, general aviation airports. With security tightening at the larger airports, terrorists could turn to the smaller airports, which are more vulnerable.

Just how vulnerable was demonstrated Monday afternoon by a 33-year-old woman, who somehow gained access to a gated area at the north end of the North Las Vegas airport. She is accused of stealing a National Guard vehicle and crashing it into fence, then stealing an aircraft tow vehicle and driving it until her apprehension by security guards. Her motivation has not been established.

"We'll make sure it never happens again," an airport spokesperson said. That such an incident could happen once, though, gives credence to the Homeland Security Department's concern. We believe the Clark County Aviation Department, which is investigating the incident, should conduct a thorough review of security at all the county's small airports.

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