Has the Transportation Security Administration gone too far with its security measures?
Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said he will introduce new legislation requiring parental supervision during the pat-down of a child.
This all comes as a result of a YouTube video that showed a transportation screening officer patting-down a six-year-old girl.
“I am personally outraged and disgusted by yet another example of mistreatment of an innocent American at the hands of TSA,” Chaffetz wrote in a letter to John Pistole, TSA administrator. “This conduct is in clear violation of TSA’s explicit policy not to conduct thorough pat-downs on children under the age of 13.”
Michael McCarthy, from TSA’s office of strategic communications did not comment on the new bill.
“TSA does not comment on pending legislation,” McCarthy said.
However, the office issued a statement on the young girl’s experience.
“TSA has reviewed the incident and determined that this officer followed proper current screening procedures. However, in line with his vision to accelerate TSA’s evolution into a truly risk-based, intelligence-driven organization, Administrator Pistole has tasked the agency with exploring additional ways to focus its resources and move beyond a one-size fits all system while maintaining a high level of security.”
In regards to children receiving pat-downs, TSA’s website states that a child may receive a toned-down inspection. As younger passengers go through security checkpoints, parents are advised to make sure no items are left in their children’s pockets.
In a press release issued by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Chaffetz said,
“The agency must get serious about the manner in which it seeks to balance national security with personal privacy. At the very least, it cannot continue to operate under the belief that little girls and handicapped children pose such a serious threat that TSOs must abandon all manner of decency when interacting with them.”
On the other hand, TSA say they will not underestimate any sort of terrorist threat.
“While recognizing that terrorists are willing to manipulate societal norms to evade detection, our officers will continue to work with parents to ensure a respectful screening process for the entire family at the checkpoint.”
As of now, TSA will be reviewing its screening procedures in efforts to avoid invasive pat-downs for low-risk populations.
