Posted on 10/20/2011 10:24:20 AM PDT by bimboeruption
PORTLAND, Tenn. You're probably used to seeing TSA's signature blue uniforms at the airport, but now agents are hitting the interstates to fight terrorism with Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR).
"Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate," said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.
Tuesday Tennessee was first to deploy VIPR simultaneously at five weigh stations and two bus stations across the state.
Agents are recruiting truck drivers, like Rudy Gonzales, into the First Observer Highway Security Program to say something if they see something.
"Not only truck drivers, but cars, everybody should be aware of what's going on, on the road," said Gonzales.
It's all meant to urge every driver to call authorities if they see something suspicious.
"Somebody sees something somewhere and we want them to be responsible citizens, report that and let us work it through our processes to abet the concern that they had when they saw something suspicious," said Paul Armes, TSA Federal Security Director for Nashville International Airport.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol checked trucks with drug and bomb sniffing dogs during random inspections.
"The bottom line is this: if you see something suspicious say something about it," Gibbons said Tuesday.
The random inspections really aren't any more thorough normal, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott who says paying attention to details can make a difference. Trott pointed out it was an Oklahoma state trooper who stopped Timothy McVeigh for not having a license plate after the Oklahoma City bombing in the early 1990s.
Tuesday's statewide "VIPR" operation isn't in response to any particular threat, according to officials.
Armes said intelligence indicates law enforcement should focus on the highways as well as the airports.
Sounds like Massachusetts or New Jersey,NOT a Southern state. They should be ashamed. Rather the people of Tenn. should be ashamed they allow this type of thing.
There is a County near me known as "The Constitution-Free Zone". When the Bonnaroo concert happens every year, having an out of state tag and a car with several young people is probable cause for a stop.
“Tuesday’s statewide “VIPR” operation isn’t in response to any particular threat, according to officials.”
NO JUSTIFICATION NEEDED!!!! NO WARRANT, NO PROBABLE CAUSE, NIX.
I wrote our Governor here in Alaska. The rest of the states better damn sure get in front of this.
The definition of GESTAPO in my dictionary is: "TERRORIST secret-police organization operating against persons suspected of disloyalty."
This is just the beginning.
By the way, would someone please tell me if the TSA has ever stopped a real terrorist in an airport?
Ping.
Thanks for posting the entire poster.
Sliding towards 1984...
Remember, it was Bush that started the TSA ball rolling.
I don’t think they’re going to pay that much attention to the reports. This feels more like a way to recruit union truck drivers into an unofficial ‘security detail’. We know they’re not looking for Muslims - so who are they looking for? From the Public Service Announcement out of Homeland - I’d say they’re looking for white middle class men - and women. Conservatives... Look at the videos they put out - it tells a story.
The leftists screamed when Bush wanted to gather info on people checking out bomb-making books from libraries.
But random patrols of stasi police on the highways... hey, that’s ok.
That is because most people here would be just fine with the TSA the second a republican wins the white house.
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