[mou] Birders, a security threat?
Fran Howard
fjhoward@ix.netcom.com
Mon, 11 Jul 2005 16:08:53 -0500
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US imposes controls on a new security threat - birdwatchers
Gary Younge in New York
Thursday July 7, 2005
The Guardian
US security agents have come up with a new target for increased scrutiny in
their battle against terrorism: birdwatchers. Birdwatchers in certain areas
are being forced to provide photographic identification, submit themselves
to background checks, and even pay for a police escort.
Law enforcement officials say that because the birdwatchers have equipment
such as binoculars, telescopes and cameras, they have the potential to
commit acts of espionage. The areas they use are sometimes close to military
bases, dams and sewage plants.
Because they have "sophisticated gear and [are] looking at things not
normally photographed by the common citizen in this area, they may be
stopped and asked a few questions," Lieutenant Jamie Rickerson, of the US
coastguard service, told the Los Angeles Times.
Enthusiasts wanting to go birdwatching at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
in Virginia used to need an annual permit obtained over the phone, by post
or in a fax. There are four islands, one of which was open to the public. To
visit any of the other three, to the north, they needed a birdwatching
permit, photo ID and car registration number.
But earlier this year the three northern islands were closed by Virginia's
department of transportation.
Two weeks ago, after protests from birdwatchers, they reopened with greater
restrictions. Now, groups of no more than 15 people can visit and they must
notify the authorities in advance, pay $50 an hour to be escorted by an
off-duty police officer, and submit to random searches.
"We discovered that we had areas of concerns," said Clement Pruitt, the
area's chief of police. "If you can get into the ventilation buildings, you
have direct access to the tunnel and can inflict serious damage to the
tunnel."
The ornithologists are not convinced. "These sorts of national security
issues seem to be intruding in ways one would never have expected," said
Perry Plumart, director of conservation advocacy for the American Bird
Conservancy. "You expected airline security; you don't expect it when you go
birding. Who knew you'd have a police escort?"
Donald Dann, the president of the Bird Conservation Network, which
represents a number of ornithological groups in the Chicago area, was more
blunt. "Someone can lob a grenade from the street if they wanted to. I'm not
sure they're achieving any great national security objective."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1522968,00.html
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<FONT FACE=3D"Arial"><SPAN STYLE=3D'font-size:12.0px'>US imposes controls on a =
new security threat - birdwatchers <BR>
<BR>
Gary Younge in New York<BR>
Thursday July 7, 2005<BR>
The Guardian <BR>
<BR>
US security agents have come up with a new target for increased scrutiny in=
their battle against terrorism: birdwatchers. Birdwatchers in certain areas=
are being forced to provide photographic identification, submit themselves =
to background checks, and even pay for a police escort.<BR>
<BR>
Law enforcement officials say that because the birdwatchers have equipment =
such as binoculars, telescopes and cameras, they have the potential to commi=
t acts of espionage. The areas they use are sometimes close to military base=
s, dams and sewage plants.<BR>
<BR>
Because they have "sophisticated gear and [are] looking at things not =
normally photographed by the common citizen in this area, they may be stoppe=
d and asked a few questions," Lieutenant Jamie Rickerson, of the US coa=
stguard service, told the Los Angeles Times.<BR>
<BR>
Enthusiasts wanting to go birdwatching at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel =
in Virginia used to need an annual permit obtained over the phone, by post o=
r in a fax. There are four islands, one of which was open to the public. To =
visit any of the other three, to the north, they needed a birdwatching permi=
t, photo ID and car registration number.<BR>
<BR>
But earlier this year the three northern islands were closed by Virginia's =
department of transportation.<BR>
<BR>
Two weeks ago, after protests from birdwatchers, they reopened with greater=
restrictions. Now, groups of no more than 15 people can visit and they must=
notify the authorities in advance, pay $50 an hour to be escorted by an off=
-duty police officer, and submit to random searches.<BR>
<BR>
"We discovered that we had areas of concerns," said Clement Pruit=
t, the area's chief of police. "If you can get into the ventilation bui=
ldings, you have direct access to the tunnel and can inflict serious damage =
to the tunnel."<BR>
<BR>
The ornithologists are not convinced. "These sorts of national securit=
y issues seem to be intruding in ways one would never have expected," s=
aid Perry Plumart, director of conservation advocacy for the American Bird C=
onservancy. "You expected airline security; you don't expect it when yo=
u go birding. Who knew you'd have a police escort?"<BR>
<BR>
Donald Dann, the president of the Bird Conservation Network, which represen=
ts a number of ornithological groups in the Chicago area, was more blunt. &q=
uot;Someone can lob a grenade from the street if they wanted to. I'm not sur=
e they're achieving any great national security objective."<BR>
<BR>
<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U><a href=3D"http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,122=
71,1522968,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1522968,00.h=
tml</a></U></FONT><BR>
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