Departure

We have some interesting reading in store, so get a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy.  Quickly before we get to the main story, a brief summary of activities to date.  The YYZ Airport Watch committee have submitted a draft "Disclosure of Information" document to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.  This document, once approved and signed by all members will allow us to submit members information to the GTAA for inclusion into their database.  The committee have designed a temporary members ID card.  We are planning to prepare and hand out these cards at the same time as the disclosure of information document.  Lastly, on the topic of T-shirts, I have been contacted by our liaison in this matter and he informs me that there is a formal proposal in with a major supporter and given that it is all a governmental thing, it does take time. We hope to have news on this in the next two to three weeks.  We would like to remind everyone of the phone numbers below which are to be used to report suspicious activity. In NO WAY should these numbers be used maliciously or in hopes of gaining favourable advantage while out at Pearson Airport.  Remember to treat all security officials with respect and obey their instructions.

416-776-3033  Emergencies ONLY
416-776-3055 Non Emergency

This months "Enroute" column features an article that appears in the ICAO Journal.  It was written by the Ottawa Airport Watch founder and RCMP Constable Jacques Brunelle.  Members will recognize Jacques name as our clubs mentor and the person our group owes much of its success too.  The article appears here in our newsletter with the kind permission of Jacques Brunelle

Enroute

When most people think of airport security, their thoughts naturally turn to procedures that include passenger screening and baggage inspection performed by trained personnel, and possibly devices like aerodrome perimeter fences to prevent trespassing. But a security programme can also encompass the participation of volunteer observers who report unusual or suspicious activities to the authorities, and airport watch programmes are increasingly a part of overall security at a variety of airports. The presence of these volunteer observers on the periphery of an aerodrome is especially important in an era of high security awareness. Depending on the locale, concerns may range from the relatively minor problem of petty crime to the potentially catastrophic criminal use of a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS).

The concept of the airport watch programme is a relatively new development. In Canada, the concept has been evolving for about five years, beginning with a basic programme that was initiated at Ottawa International Airport in late 1999. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Airport Watch Programme continues to expand to other major airports where the national police force is involved in maintaining security, and seems likely to grow further in the future.

The Ottawa airport watch programme was launched as a joint effort by the RCMP national security investigations unit and the Ottawa Police Service, as both entities were responsible for law enforcement at the airport. 

The concept implemented in Ottawa, and now in place at other airports in Canada, is similar to typical neighbourhood watch programmes in that it relies mostly on volunteer "spotters" to report questionable activity in the vicinity of the airport.

While the concept may be similar, however, airport watch volunteers do not resemble the usual neighbourhood watch participants. The have joined airport security teams because of their special interests and the skills they can offer. In addition to a passion for aviation, many of the volunteers are experts in particular facets of airport operations and in aircraft recognition. Moreover, they are cognizant of the need for increased security at airports in recent years. Equipped with binoculars , flight schedules, aeronautical frequency scanners and aircraft type reference guides, they possess an intimate knowledge of the airport's perimeter layout and the businesses that operate within it.

As enthusiasts, airport watchers spend hours at a time in public access areas viewing aircraft from outside the perimeter fence - they do not usually have special access to the airport grounds. Some are interested in commercial airliners while others are more interested in military aircraft or helicopters. It is not uncommon for a spotter to be able to recognize sub variants of a particular airliner type or even what make of engine is installed on an aircraft.

Because of their familiarity with the airport surroundings, many of the observers are keenly aware of airport visitors, both regular and irregular. Their strong sense of observation, perhaps gleaned from many years of enjoying their hobby, has now been added to the airport's security network in a practical working arrangement. Over the past five years, Ottawa's Airport Watch Programme has become increasingly active because of the volunteer members, who comprise the bulk of the programme participants which also includes airport based employees who are encouraged to report suspicious activity.

Although the volunteer observers can not supplement police operations even when security is heightened by a high profile event, they are nevertheless highly valued by police and security forces. When Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport was used by Air Force One for an official visit to Canada by the US President, airport watch members served useful functions such as observing the approach end of the runway. Having been made aware of the types of potential threats that may emerge on such occasions, the watch programme members were prepared to report any suspicious activity to the airports Security Operations Centre (SOC) by cellular phone. Following their credo, "Observe, record, and report", they never take any direct actions themselves.

Crime Prevention

Notwithstanding the attacks of 11 September 2001, the aviation industry is still a world leader in safety and security through prevention. Crime prevention programmes are a natural extension of this philosophy.

Often overshadowed by terrorism, the criminal threat to aviation remains chronic and difficult to eradicate in the long term. Dozens of crimes occur every year at airport facilities worldwide, mainly because of the high value of commodities which are shipped by air. Often these criminal acts involve cash, diamond and gold shipments. The robberies usually occur in restricted airport facilities where transfers are made.

Acts of sabotage and vandalism against parked aircraft for reason of crime, politics or disgruntlement have also been an issue worldwide, not to mention petty theft in and around passenger and cargo terminals.

Crime prevention at airports is not unlike home crime prevention. It is based on anticipating risks and dealing with them.

Most crimes occur because the opportunity presents itself and there is a low risk of getting caught. An aggressive airport watch programme is an important means of eliminating, or at least reducing the risk of most crimes that could occur at or around an airport.

A separate programme developed by the RCMP, and a predecessor to the National Airport Watch, is the successful interdiction initiative known as Coastal/Airport Watch. This is aimed at reporting smugglers who may try to use rural aerodromes and isolated coastal and border areas for their clandestine activities. The National Airport Watch compliments this protective measure by exploiting active volunteers at the larger international airports where smuggling also continues to be a concern. The volunteers keep an eye on every form of activity, look out for unsecured gates or for obstructions or animals on an active runway, and even provide assistance if practical.

A cell phone call to the SOC is all that is required to report observances or help those in need. Although there is no set schedule for the volunteers, many of them call SOC when they are on location at their favorite viewing spot. This ensures that they themselves are not the source of suspicion and can be contacted if their view of the area is required.

In the spring of 2004, the Ottawa Police Service introduced the anonymous crime reporting programme, "Crime Stoppers," at the airport. This further deters crime some of which - as at any large airport - may be carried out by airport employees.

Well-organized pastime

Enthusiast observers like those involved in the Ottawa Airport Watch Programme are to be found at most large airports worldwide. The term spotter originated in England about 80 years ago during the height of the steam engine era. These spotters observed passing trains to record their engine numbers and exchange this information with other hobbyists. Today, a similar pastime involving aircraft is very well organized in much of Europe, to the point where participants hold formal meetings in clubhouses. In fact, many airport authorities have posted website guidelines for visiting spotters so they have ready information about available viewing sites and local rules. In Canada, there are prime spotting locations at a number of international airports, notably Vancouver and Calgary, that are equipped with a car park, benches, garbage receptacles and colourful signs indicating the types of aircraft that operate from there. This positive development enhances security at airports even without a formal watch programme. Once organized enthusiast groups come into existence, however, it takes little extra effort to develop them into low-cost airport watch groups that benefit everyone.

At present, most of the 32 airport watch volunteers in Ottawa visit the airport locale several times a week, some on a daily basis. Of course, enthusiasts were visiting the airport prior to the creation of the watch programme, but now these enthusiasts all know each other, furthering mutual safety. In addition, they have been aware of the relevant airport safety and security arrangements through local tours of the airport facilities. Another advantage is that the area police forces come to know the watchers and will not view them with suspicion.

In Ottawa, tours of the air traffic control centre and fixed based operators (FBO's) have been organized, as have visits to view progress on the construction of the now completed new passenger terminal. Besides these tours, the volunteers hold a breakfast meeting at an airport restaurant once a month.

Aside from the comraderie and opportunities to learn more about their local airport, watch members can benefit in other ways. As members become known to the FBO's, for example, those who enjoy photography can sometimes arrange to take their cameras airside. Before the airport watch programme existed such enthusiasts would have to be satisfied with taking a photo of an aircraft over an FBO fence. Now they can enter the facility and ask permission to take a photo. So while the presence of the volunteer observers results in better corporate security for the FBO's, the observers are rewarded with better photo prospects.

In some respects the group is more like a club. To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Ottawa group's formation for instance, a full day tour of Montreal Trudeau International Airport, a 90 minute drive away was organized. The outing included a visit to Air Canada's training and maintenance centres and a tour of the Bombardier Regional Aircraft plant, as well as an escorted tour of the airport's large apron area, an inside perimeter drive and a 45 minute photo stop next to Runway 24R arranged by Aeroports de Montreal security.

Programme expansion

The success of the Ottawa programme has not been lost on other Canadian airports. Vancouver and Halifax International Airports, which are both under the local RCMP jurisdiction, began similar programmes a few years ago. However these airports have not made as much progress as Ottawa yet, resulting in fewer benefits to either the airport or the volunteers. This has been due to the lack of available police time to organize meetings and security awareness briefings. Higher priority police tasks are a reality at most busy airports, meaning that time for other activities such as an airport watch programme are at a premium. Nevertheless, observers in the Toronto area found a way around that this obstacle last summer.

The Toronto Pearson Airport Programme arose when local enthusiasts grew frustrated with ineffective efforts to maintain their viewing sites during the airport's massive ongoing construction projects. Banding together, the spotters decided to set up a programme modelled after Ottawa's, which they had learned about from a radio programme on the subject of airport security. After an initial recruitment effort, 89 volunteers joined the Toronto Airport Watch initiative. The group subsequently presented a well received proposal to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).

Rather then rely on a police force to help them establish the airport watch programme, the Toronto based spotters took it upon themselves. After the initiative was embraced by the local police forces and the GTAA, the YYZ Airport Watch website (www.airportwatchcanada.com) was linked to the GTAA. By becoming organized without support from security or police agencies, the Toronto group is more self sufficient and will remain so in the future.

As with the Ottawa group, the Toronto volunteers are subject to basic police checks. The group has now formed an executive committee and continues to enjoy a growing membership list.

Overall, airport authorities are pleased with the emergence of volunteer airport watch programmes. The Ottawa authority is in fact, so pleased with its positive relationship with this community group that is has funded numerous projects including the purchase of all-season jackets for the volunteers. They are marked with the airport authority's logo and have the name of the programme emblazoned in reflective letters on the back. Such support is important since airports are often at odds with local communities over issues such as noise. More recently, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which is responsible for screening operations at 89 airports, has agreed to support a number of the volunteer groups by funding apparel and other items branded with the groups' respective local airport watch insignia.

Over the years at Ottawa, the volunteers have participated in security activities during air shows, and a number of them have become part-time ambassadors for the airport authority and FBO's. Some facilities even display their photographs. Interest in harnessing volunteers continues to grow. The RCMP and the Ottawa Police Service, for instance, have provided information on the programme to enthusiasts and officials at airports as far away as Glasgow, Melbourne and Johannesburg, and the topic was presented to the U.S based Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network (ALEAN) by the RCMP in 2002.

In summary, the Ottawa Airport Watch has provided valuable assistance in reporting suspicious activity near runway departure or approach paths as far away as 10 kilometres. This is especially of value during high profile State visits, of which Ottawa, being a national capital, has many. The RCMP, Transport Canada and the Canadian Department of National Defence have promoted the watch programme during presentations to airport authorities across Canada as a beneficial airport perimeter security initiative. In Canada, the programme has also been recognized and supported by the federal Minister of Transport.

Clearly, aviation enthusiasts at many airports around the world could benefit from such a programme, as would the respective airport authorities and the public at large.

The YYZ Airport Watch group committee are very pleased with the progress thus far.  We firmly believe we are well on our way to establishing a program that will help enthusiasts at YYZ greatly.  There is still much work to do and all members can rest assured we are working diligently on this. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we pursue this initiative forward step by step. We would also like to thank the GTAA for working with us to see that our program is a success for all.

We do want to remind all members, that while progress has been made, it by no means gives any one of us the freedom to do as we please. 
ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS MUST BE OBEYED.
Members are to treat authorities with respect and obey their instructions.

Until next time, your continued support and patience is much appreciated.

E-mail:  admin@airportwatchcanada.com

Ph: 416-674-5959 - Mr. Andrew Cline

Website:  www.airportwatchcanada.com