DHS: TSA failed to stop agents with fake weapons during undercover tests

<p>TSA agents at airports across the country have failed to stop undercover agents with fake weapons a significant amount of the time, according to the Department of Homeland Security.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 9, 2017, 7:18 PM

Updated 2,352 days ago

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TSA agents at airports across the country have failed to stop undercover agents with fake weapons a significant amount of the time, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
They found that nearly 80 percent of the time, the TSA failed to find prohibited items, including weapons. 
Two years ago, the department worked on a similar report and found that 95 percent of the time prohibitive items were brought past checkpoints.
Members of Congress were briefed on the report Wednesday. The report is still classified, so at this point it is not clear which items were brought past security at which airport.
Jeanne Radigan, the chairperson of the aviation department at Farmingdale State College, says more training and funding is needed.
"I believe it's the lack of high-paying jobs in the TSA. The screeners work long hours for low pay and they're staring at a screen for long periods of time," says Radigan. 
During the public hearing, lawmakers urged the new TSA chief to expedite the use of CT scanning technology that creates 3-D images of carry on-luggage. It's currently being tested at two airports.


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