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LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY BE REQUIRED AT AIRPORTS AS NATIONAL GUARD WITHDRAWS The League has been working through the National negligence claims. LEOs are often not covered by liability League of Cities (NLC) to resolve local concerns with a protection when serving outside their jurisdictions, as may directive issued last month by the Transportation Security be the case when assigned to an airport. TSA Beput~ Under Administration (TSA) relating to security arrangements-at Secretary McHale s~Jd they "am exploring the possibility of the nation's commercial airports. The TSA issued a directive cross-designating state and local law enforcement officials to the nation's commercial airports, calling for the use of who are assigned to airpott security duties as federal local Law Enforcement Officers (LE0)s to replace the officials, so that they would be covered by the federal National Guard and provide interim security personnel until government when performing the duties required by the federal security employees are hired, trained aed in place. TSA. But there are issues and details that we need to work Additionally, the TSA is requiring airport authorities to sign out before we can do that." The problem is, what happens a Memorandum of Agreement to allow for the use of the if an airport enters into an agreement with the TSA and the LEOs to oversee baggage areas and the baggage screening liability issues are not resolved? It would be politically process at security checkpoints within the airports by May impossible late" for an ai~ort to back out of the agreement. 10, 2002, without any consultation with k govec .rCs. Third, the TSA is requiring LEOs at screening check- This change was not only unexpected, but was not points in Categopj I, II and X airports at all times. This given with sufficient notice to allow local governments to directive does not consider high alert or emergency determine potential liability risks, logistical issues and conditions that would require the local Law Enforcement actual and accurate reimbursement requirements. Officers to be called in for duty. ~ League understands that the TSA has promised Through the National League of Cities the League has airport authorities that they will be reimbursed for the been involved in ongoing conversations with Secratary secunty services. However, the 1SA has also indicated that Mineta and the Transportation Security Administration. V~ reimbursement is not calculated in full, and is dependent still have concerns regarding the TSKs directives, and would on Congressional approval of the Administration's Supple- like for cities to let us know your outstanding issues at this mental Appropriations request. Existing funding is ex- point. The National League of Cities has been invited to pected to last until some point between June and Septem- submit any remaining concerns to the White House as soon bet, 2002. as possible. If you have outstanding issues, please contact League Staff, Jennifer Lewis at: (916) 658-8254, Another concern is that localities assisting in this effort lewis, j@cacities.org. could be exposed to liability risks, including civil rights and WAI'f'S GOING ON, CALIFORNIA? ENERGY TOOLKIT EARNS AWARDS Communications industry organizations nationwide Most recently, the toolkit earned the 2002 Dalton Pen are recognizing th~ Watt's Going On, Califomia? Energy Communications Award for Excellence from Warwick Conservation Toolkit with awards for innovation and Publishing. The League and its partners now.join NCR creativity. Corporation, AT&T, First Trust Corporation, the makers of Glade, and other noteworthy corporations as winners of To date, two awards have been given to the useful the organization's top award in the category of Programs toolkit created through a partnership between the League, & Campeign-Public Service. the California State Association of COunties, the Local Government Commission and the California Park & Also garnering attention for its innovation and Recreation Society. The first was given by the Califernia creativity is the Always Remember 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund, Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) at its which earned a third place CAPIO award in the Public annual conference in Shell Beach. Against very tough Safety or Emergency Service Campaign category. competition, the program earned a third place award in the category of special Event or Campaign. PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www. cacities.org