FROM: Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director: LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
SUBJECT: Force Protection
As I write this e-mail, we are now confronted with another challenge in addition to the ongoing corona virus. As you have all seen on the news, and in some cases seen personally, we now have widespread rioting and looting taking place in New York City and other areas.
As we press on through both of these challenges, please know that in the end, we will prevail. However, until the rioting ends, we all must take precautions to safeguard ourselves and our families just as we have with the corona virus. With respect to the rioting, sound judgement and common sense will serve as your personal protective equipment.
I strongly recommend you to avoid all areas in which rioting, looting and protesting is taking place. The volatile nature of large gatherings under the present conditions can lead to danger and trouble. Please follow the below recommendations to keep yourselves and your families safe during this time of unrest.
1. If you haven’t already done so, program your cell phones with the numbers to 911, your local
police department or NYPD precinct, the Port Authority Police (PAPD) at LGA and the LGA
Coordination Center.
2. Always inform your family where you are going and who you will be with when leaving your
home. Ensure they have the contact information of those you will be with or the location where you are going.
3. Keep your cell phones charged and on your person when away from home for immediate access and reliable service.
4. Maintain full situational awareness at all times. Know where there is trouble and avoid those
areas. Plot out alternate routes to work or anywhere else you need to go in order to avoid
those dangerous areas.
5. Cover your uniform with regular civilian clothing during you commute to and from work so as
not to draw attention to yourselves.
6. In light of the New York City curfew starting at 2000 through 0500, keep your PIV card with you
during your commute to and from work. Also, keep a copy of the Federal Emergency Response
Official (FERO) letter on your person at all times while commuting to and from work. We issued those letters to everyone at the outbreak of the corona virus. Those letters are still valid for this time of civil unrest. If you are stopped by the police, follow their instructions as directed, and
advise them that you work for the TSA at LGA and you have your TSA ID (PIV Card) and FERO
letter authorizing you to be out during the curfew hours. If you did not receive a FERO letter, or if you can’t find it, see your STSO or TSM immediately, and we will arrange to get a letter for
you.
7. If you need to take an alternate route to work to avoid a problem area, and that detour will
cause you to be late for work, call the Coordination Center and advise them that you are on the
way to work but needed to take an alternate route to avoid trouble and will be cases, you will not be charged with being late, but rather we will document the time as Weather and Safety Leave.
8. If you unexpectedly come across rioting or looting, call the police and go in the opposite
direction to avoid getting caught up in the violence.
9. If you live in an area in which there is violent actively occurring around your home, call the
police, then call in to the LGA Coordination Center and let us know that for your own safety and that of your family, you will not be able to come in to work. We will place you on Weather and Safety Leave for that shift. Do not try to be a hero or take an unnecessary risk by trying to press through an active riot or violent activity for the sake of coming to work. Your life is not worth the risk.
10. Please ensure we have the correct contact information for you, both your phone number and
address.
11. If you need help, call the police and Coordination Center and we will get you help.
I appreciate your dedication and devotion to duty, but during this dangerous time, please use good
judgement and be responsible. I care about all of you. Your safety and well-being is my primary
concern, both on and off duty.
Thank you and stay safe.
