The nominee for worst bag check is....

If you're like me, you can't help but to check out the security wherever you go.  Perhaps, another person wouldn't have noticed or cared about a recent encounter I had during a visit to an amusement park.  I won't name any names but let's just say I was "less-than-impressed" by what I saw as an egregious breach in standard security searching protocol.

While entering the park, every visitor is subjected to a bag search.  The searcher in this instance was very consumed by a conversation he was having with another patron.  As a matter of fact, he never took his eyes off that patron while he frisked my bag.  He placed a small wooden rod commonly used to probe bags for contents behind my bag while he frisked it.  In my professional career, I have never seen such a cursory search of a bag.

The bag in question...Notice the large pocket towards the rear...

Here are the problems I noted with the search:

1. He never looked at the bag he was searching.  Hopefully, had he seen the bag, he would have "clued on" the bag has multiple pockets with a large one in the rear.  This particular bag is a Maxpedition Versapack Fatboy.  It was designed to carry a small amount gear during the day and to look as "civilian" as possible.  The most important pocket for any searcher of this bag is the rear pocket because it holds an internal holster for a small handgun for concealed carry (I wasn't packing this day).  The searcher completely missed this pocket.
2. He never looked inside the bag.  The major interior pocket has enough room for a digital camera, an iPod, a camcorder, two or three grenades...You get the picture.  Had he looked in the bag, he would have noted his stick wouldn't have told him much.
3. He was so engrossed in conversation he never noticed any visual cues such as the look on my face when began frisking my bag.  As you can imagine, it was not a happy look.  Most professional security searchers will tell you the search and the level of searching you conduct on an individual item often depends on visual cues you get from a subject.  Nervous glances, jittery hands, profuse sweating, shifty eye movement, etc. are all what we in law enforcement call a "clue".
4. There was a failure to acknowledge me and start a small but necessary conversation.  These "conversations" provide a searcher his first clues what your intentions are.  This is customary to an entry control situation and you almost expect it whether it be at Customs or with TSA.  The gate guard at the ballpark even does it.

I understand and can appreciate why parks conduct such cursory searches.  It frees up the lines, gives the perception they're being aggressive about security, and it gives them an opportunity to detect potential profit-stealing items such as "outside" commercial beverages and alcohol.   I get it and support it wholeheartedly - when it's done correctly.

I have several issues with this, though.  It lulls security and park personnel (management) into believing there is an additional layer of security which in effect never existed because the search isn't geared towards a security threat.  It also fails to address the likelihood of an attack on park property and guests.  A slightly more thorough search could detect such threats.  Finally, cursory searches for contraband only allows your searchers to focus on one thing only - line congestion.  What happens if you a miss gun and there is an attack?  You gave an impression you had security and yet you failed to detect a gun and admitted the attacker in the park.  Two words depict the place you find yourself in: LITIGATION HELL!!!

So what are my recommendations?

1. Post the items you consider contraband (please include guns, knives, grenades, etc.) and showcase "found" items in a display case.  This puts potential disruptive guests on notice that you will be looking for those items and escorting them off the park should you find them.  There maybe some resistance and you may detect your fair share of "bad" stuff so have a local deputy there just in case.  This is also a great psychological deterrent.
2. Get rid of the probe.  You're not finding anything using this method.  Just because you jab a rod in my bag once or twice doesn't mean the bag is "good-to-go".  Open the bag and see what you're probing.  
3. Conduct random full searches of bags.  This puts the "bad guys" on notice you're taking security seriously.  This works great against terrorists as they can never tell if they're going to the random number.  It also allows you to clear up lines and avoids charges of profiling.  The military has phenomenal success with this method.
4. Address training and quality control AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!  Training has to be conducted semi-annually on searching techniques and behavioral cues.  A great source to reach out to for this is Homeland Security.  Often times, they can provide the training without significant costs. Plus, it looks impressive to management and your investors (the real bosses).

I didn't want to name the park because I know this is a systemic problem with other mass gathering locations throughout America.  We often engage in "security theater" and assume our methods are keeping "bad" people away.  It isn't until our guys miss one bag and allow someone in who shouldn't have gotten through that we realize our methodologies are flawed.  If you're in the business of protecting these parks, please ensure your park never wins the award for "Worst Preventable Tragedy In The History of Amusement Parks".  Your guests, the public, security personnel, management, and investors are counting on you to never miss anything.