More radiation scanners for Miami, Everglades

More radiation scanners for Miami, Everglades Port Everglades will have three permanent radiation detection scanners by March 2007 and the Port of Miami will get two more scanners to bring its total to six, Customs and Border Protection officials that included Commissioner W. Ralph Basham said during a tour of Port Everglades security operations on Friday.
   CBP already brings portable radiation scanners into Port Everglades on a periodic basis, but there will be three of the non-intrusive devices at the port on a permanent basis in March, said Thomas Winkowski, CBP director, field operations in Miami. Two more scanners will be added to the Port of Miami, as well, as the CBP gears up to its mandate of scanning all import containers for radiation by January 2008.
   The portable equipment is especially valuable, because unlike the scanning technology that remains in one location within a port, the portable scanners can move easily from terminal to terminal as needed. There are three different kinds of portable scanners, but all are mounted on trucks that can just drive from one location to another.
   CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham toured Port Everglades Friday with Congressman Clay Shaw and a bevy of CBP officials and agents.
   Basham noted that in addition to stopping terrorists threats, drug interdiction and the battle against counterfeit products are important elements of CBP mission in South Florida'along with the ongoing challenge of helping to improve trade flows.
   While the government is bringing in more scanning equipment and improved technology, Basham observed, 'The goal is to drive down physical inspections.'