Deputies Take Over John Wayne Guard Duty

Moving to improve John Wayne Airport security in the wake of the terrorist attacks, Orange County this week replaced more than 30 private security guards with sheriff’s deputies.

The shift, which took effect Monday, comes as county officials consider whether an even larger role for deputies is needed.

The guards were hired after the Sept. 11 hijackings to help John Wayne comply with strict security rules set down by the Federal Aviation Administration. The guards, along with some deputies, searched vehicles entering parking lots and loading zones, as well as patrolled outside the main terminal.

But some county officials scoffed at relying on private guards, who have a fraction of the training and experience of sworn sheriff’s deputies. Any money saved by using the guards over higher-paid deputies, they said, isn’t worth the risk.

“You never compromise public safety to save money. It’s those kinds of decisions, where you cut corners, that people regret after a significant disaster,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer.

Critics haven’t cited any specific problems with the private guards but said the county should not take chances.

“They don’t have the tools or the training,” Spitzer said of the guards. “They were hired for one reason and one reason only, to save money.”

Officials have not disclosed how much more money the county will spend by using deputies. Airport management, however, estimates it will spend an extra $12 million this year on security, from salaries to new equipment.

Because the county’s contract with the security company doesn’t allow for immediate dismissal, the guards will remain at John Wayne Airport for now. They are now stationed at curbside terminals, watching for unattended and loitering vehicles. Neither county officials nor the contractor, Chief Protective Services Inc. of Corona, would say when the guards would exit.

Since Sept. 11, the county has installed additional screening devices for baggage and passengers. Vehicles entering the parking lots and loading zones are subject to searches. A local National Guard unit patrols the terminals during regular business hours.

Although the Sheriff’s Department now is the exclusive police patroller at John Wayne, the airlines continue to control the baggage screening process--using private security crews for the job.

Some passengers at John Wayne and elsewhere have complained that the screeners aren’t always paying attention and aren’t as rigorous as they would expect.

John Wayne officials are reviewing a plan submitted last week by the Sheriff’s Department outlining how much has been spent for increased security and what it will cost if more deputies are assigned there.

Representatives from the airport and the Sheriff’s Department are scheduled to meet Thursday to go over the proposal. Neither side would elaborate on the details of the meeting.

“It’s to go over the financial implications and to make sure we can plan for that, and reviewing any other recommendations the sheriffs may have,” airport spokeswoman Yolanda Perez said.