AMU Homeland Security Intelligence North America

Steak Knives Taken From JFK Restaurants Inside Security Checkpoint

By Amanda Vicinanzo
Senior Editor of Homeland Security Today
Special to In Homeland Security

Just three hours after Newsday reported how easy it would be to take steak knives with 5-inch serrated steel blades from two restaurants inside the “sterile” area past the security checkpoint at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, the Port Authority banned the metal steak knives from restaurants inside the secure areas.

Meanwhile, TSA reported another record year for finding handguns (loaded with a round chambered) in flyers’ carry-on bags.

“We’re above and beyond what the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires,” Port Authority spokesman Chris Valens said.

Reporters conducted several tests at JFK, slipping the wood-handled knives into a briefcase after asking their server to clear their plate. In one case, the individual actually left the restaurant with the knife in the briefcase. No one came looking for the missing knife.

In tests over the month leading up to the holiday travel season, reporters visited both of the steak restaurants–The Palm Bar and Grille, and Bobby Van’s Steakhouse– three times on different shifts with different servers. Servers never noticed the knives went missing at the end of the meal.

Read the full story at Homeland Security Today

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