TSA trains Super Bowl stadium vendors to ID terrorists

posted at 12:54 pm on February 3, 2012 by Howard Portnoy

Talk about the blind leading the half blind. From Government Security News (h/t Drudge Report):

According to TSA, Super Bowl fans may encounter TSA Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams at local transportation venues, including commercial and general aviation facilities and mass transit….

Additionally, TSA said over 8,000 stadium vendors, parking lot attendants, shuttle bus drivers, and other transportation professionals received the agency’s First Observer training for detecting and assessing indicators and planning tactics of potential terrorist activities. [Emphasis added]

Sounds like a capital idea. Flag down the guy selling peanuts and receive a pat down free of charge.

Considering the TSA’s less than stellar record—the agency has been guilty of 25,000 security fumbles since 2001—one wonders if they are in the best position to provide training to non-professionals for the big game. Some of the agency’s recent misadventures have included detaining a teen with a handgun design on her pocketbook. And who can forget the quick-witted, eagle-eyed screeners who confiscated a plastic toy hammer that functioned as a security blanket for a mentally challenged man?

One wonders as well whether recruiting stadium personnel to operate as snitches under the VIPR’s “See Something, Say Something” program is not a recipe for chaos or worse.

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Comments

This can only end well…
/s

You have to be qualified to perform an action competently before you can even begin to teach it.

PXCharon on February 3, 2012 at 1:10 PM

Sheesh, what are they thinking?

Everybody knows the attack on the Super Bowl will come from a vending machine, or the Goodyear blimp.

cozmo on February 3, 2012 at 1:14 PM

I’d advise all little old ladies in wheelchairs and young kids to stay away. Give your tickets to Muslims from Pakistan.

rbj on February 3, 2012 at 1:18 PM

well Howard (LOL)…

so anybody with a pen could sign a Walker recall petition but they can’t get a beer at the “big game” without showing an ID???

(I don’t think you are allowed to use the Sup.r B.wl name without paying a fee)…

teejk on February 3, 2012 at 1:50 PM

OMG, can you believe the number of little girls and old ladies who are going to be strip-searched and fondled in Indy on Sunday? I’m sure the vendors were told everyone is suspect – there is no profiling (except for little girls and grannies).

Incredulous1 on February 3, 2012 at 1:52 PM

so anybody with a pen could sign a Walker recall petition but they can’t get a beer at the “big game” without showing an ID???

So, in other words, you see a pattern emerging?

Howard Portnoy on February 3, 2012 at 2:01 PM

OMG, can you believe the number of little girls and old ladies who are going to be strip-searched and fondled in Indy on Sunday? I’m sure the vendors were told everyone is suspect – there is no profiling (except for little girls and grannies).

Incredulous1 on February 3, 2012 at 1:52 PM

but at least the midwest is experiencing a mild winter (FINALLY) so maybe not as bad as it could be…

teejk on February 3, 2012 at 2:04 PM