Report: TSA uniforms, badges often go missing

Report: TSA uniforms, badges often go missing

Passengers line up for security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Thursday, May 31, 2007.

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Story Published: Oct 13, 2008 at 10:34 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 3:50 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff

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SEATTLE -- Security at some of the nation's biggest airports could be breached by a simple piece of clothing.

The Transportation Safety Administration isn't doing enough to track down security badges and uniforms of former employees, according to a new report.

A government watchdog group's report found dozens of examples of former employees keeping their uniforms and security badges long after they've left the job.

One officer had an active pass to secure areas 827 days after leaving the TSA. In 73 cases, offices that monitor security passes weren't notified when an employee quit. And the agency lost track of former security officers' uniforms 82 times.

Last year KOMO News exposed serious security breaches at Sea-Tac Airport. The report found people and packages were able to slip into secure areas without proper identification or clearance.

Homeland security officials say this latest report shows areas that are secure could be vulnerable if the wrong person gets a hold of a former TSA employee's badge or uniform.

The TSA responded to the report, saying, "While we believe the report overstates deficiencies as well as any potential security risk, we share the interest in improving the processes."

The TSA chief says the agency began following some of the investigators' recommendations before the report was completed.

Previous coverage:

Hidden camera shows big holes in Sea-Tac security

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