Security Presence To Increase At DM Airport

DES MOINES, Iowa --

Transportation Security Administration officials said Thursday that travelers at Des Moines International Airport will notice an increased security presence.

Officials said more agents are not being added, but rather will be more visible in the airport.

"One of the things that we want to do is inspire confidence in the traveling public. We want people to know that we're front and center," said Jay Brainard, local TSA federal security director

Brainard said his staff has a new focus. They're supposed to be more visible and they're supposed to be more aware of what's normal and what's not normal at this airport.

"TSA has provided to date advanced behavior detection training to more than 250 officers here in Iowa," said Brainard.

Brainard said he is pushing a visible team effort with state and local law enforcement that goes beyond simply bag screening.

"We are always looking at the environmental baseline. We're looking for anomalies so when we're out we're observing vehicles, people, things like that -- anything that stands out in our operating environment. So that's really what this is all about -- it's about prevention. It's about giving the airport a different look and augmenting security, that's what we do out here every day," said Brainard.

The increased security presence doesn't just affect the Des Moines airport; it also affects more than a half-dozen airports across the state.

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