Airport watch - Adelaide trial

[Bob C]

Whilst browsing through a few sites this morning I found this
interesting piece of information on http://www.5dme.net/

"......Airport Watch - Adelaide Trial


19th April 2010. Today 5DME attended the launch of a Neigbourhood
Watch style scheme called AIRPORT WATCH which is to be trialled at
Adelaide Airport. The programme involves airport staff, airlines,
crews, retailers and others operating from airport grounds
participating by reporting suspicious activity.

The OTS (Office of Transport Safety) in collaboration with the
Australian Federal Police, SA Police and AAL have developed the
scheme. Adelaide Airport has stepped forward to be the trial host.

Adelaide Airport on any given day has 10,000 staff/workers in
attendance from the various operators, contractors and services.
That's 10,000 pairs of ears & eyes that could possibly report out-of-
the ordinary activities.

Airport Watch seeks to strengthen the security culture by involving
the airport community. Incidents that might usually go unreported
might now be reported due to the awareness Airport Watch will bring to
the aviation community.

The idea being: If you see something suspicious, REPORT IT.

If you see something suspicious you are urged to call 131 AFP (131
237)

A point to remember:

What makes a person suspicious is not the colour of their skin, their
ethnic culture, or their gender. It is what they do, where they are,
how they are behaving.

Once the trial is completed Airport Watch is likely to be introduced
at a number of Australian airports........"

It's interesting to note that only those working at the airport appear
to be involved and I wonder how widely " suspicious activity" will be
defined. No mention made of visitors to the airport being involved.

And I would have thought that it went without saying that anybody
working at an airport would have the sense to report any suspicious
activity long before now and even PRIOR to September 11.

It will be interesting to see how this develops across the country.

[Bob C]

I wonder if spotters and enthusiasts might be considered as " others operating from airport grounds" ?

And what would be "out-of-the ordinary activities"?

Surely not lawful photography as there are 4,184,578 photos on the three largest websites nor rego spotting which has been happening for many years.

But Joe Public has probably been seduced by various ads and TV shows so I expect those of us wandering around airports with cameras will be "chatted" at some time.

[Ray P.]

Great, there's 10000 more chances of being picked up because undoubtably airport workers will think that people who take photos of aircraft are suspicious (or just plain wierd).

[David Wilkie]

Originally Posted by Ray P.

airport workers will think that people who take photos of aircraft are suspicious (or just plain wierd).

We are weird

[Lee G]

Just looked at the 5DME website which this is featured on. The worrying thing I saw was in the video footage - point two on the poster which is shown states -

"Is the person RECORDING or TAKING photos in and around sensitive areas of your airport?

Terrorists place high value on video and photographic surveillance when planning an attack"

Shown at 53 second mark of video.

Maybe all the vetted spotters and photographers should be allowed a spot inside the boundary fence as well - that way the genuine bad guys are easily identifiable!

[Philip Argy]

I'm not sure it follows that standing on Shep's Mound or at the beach taking pics of aircraft is the same as taking pics of airport public areas. Aircraft spotting is a universal phenomenon that I would expect to be accommodated, even if occasionally we might get questioned to verify bona fides.

But taking pics of buildings and infrastructure is not quite as usual I'd have thought, and that's what is more likely to arouse suspicion.

[Paul f.]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Adelaide Airport on any given day has 10,000 staff/workers in
attendance from the various operators, contractors and services.

10,000 staff/workers a day
that would have to be weekly.

[Nigel C]

Here's an idea...

[rant]
Rather than waiting for the authorities to come up with a scheme, how about people do what they can to protect their spotting backyards, like ensuring the fenceline doesn't get damaged and making sure rubbish is kept to a minimum?
As an example, the Tower Beach viewing area barbed wire keeps getting twisted together by someone (perhaps a few people), presumably a photographer(s), which is effectively vandalising the fence to the point of needing replacement. Now if this sort of stuff keeps happening, then there may be a push to restrict access to this area, which, I'm sure most of you would agree, isn't an ideal scenario for your hobby.
Behaviour such as this may, and indeed should be, regarded as suspicious, and it certainly doesn't look good if the perpetrator happens to be carrying a large telephoto lens and a step ladder!
So, if you see someone doing this, then please give them a gob full about what they're doing in the interests of your hobby and rectify the fence before it gets any worse. This area may end up being closed off like the old Charlie and 07/25 viewing area just north of the VOR (long term spotters will remember this spot no doubt).

The empty drink cans and other rubbish being left here isn't exactly a glowing endorsement either.
[/rant]


I should point out that this is directed at the Sydney scene, however I presume this sort of thing happens around the country. Happy to be corrected as always.