DATE: March 30, 2021 TO: All Personnel: LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF FROM: Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director: LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF SUBJECT: Weekly Update Memo As we close out the month of March, this is a good time to provide a status report on where we stand with respect to the end of the first half of the fiscal year. This week we are conducting testing for the certification of Terminal C in the use of Open Queue Concept (OQC) screening by our K-9 teams. Currently we only use OQC in Terminal B. While our passenger volume is still low, this is a good time to certify the Terminal C checkpoint and let the K-9 teams get time to build up their proficiency in OQC at that location so we will have the ability to conduct OQC at peak times during our busiest days and during this peak summer season. While on the subject of K-9 teams, Steve Sanzillo’s partner Teddy has now retired. Steve will stay with the K-9 program as a Canine Training Instructor (CTI). We are actively seeking new K-9 handlers to fill the current vacancies in our K-9 Unit. For career opportunities, in addition to K-9 handlers, we also have posted an STI opening for anyone interested in becoming a training instructor. That application period ends April 4, 2021. For our LGA personnel who are assigned to Terminals C and D, I received good news on Friday afternoon from the Ian von Prague of the PANYNJ. All TSA personnel assigned to Terminals C and D will continue to be allowed to park in the Terminal C garage beyond April 1. Apparently there was a rumor that we would need to leave that garage, but that is not the case. I thanked Ian and the PANYNJ for their action to keep this important TSA benefit in place. Last Saturday, I received a notification that we needed to identify officers willing to volunteer for deployment to the Southwest Border to assist in the DHS effort to provide assistance to the CBP and Border Patrol. I want to recognize the following personnel who have volunteered their service: Menelaos Belitsis, Lexeus Betancourt, Olga Machuca, Javier Mejia, John Mollura, Daniel Rice, Robert Wachman, Alma Rodriguez, Clayre Schneiweis and Anita Shivprasad. We are waiting for further information as to the date and location of deployment and duration of deployment. While we may not need everyone to deploy, I thank all of you for your willingness to help other DHS agencies. Your team spirit and selfless service to others is greatly appreciated. I also want to thank DFSD Matt McKeon, AFSD-S Ron Arroyo, AFSD-MS Joe Maltezo, DAFSD Tim Jones, Administrative Officer Alex Stungurys, Fiscal Officer Victor Mirando and TSM Sean Holian for taking time out of their weekend to line up our personnel and resources on very short notice. Thank you all for a job well done. Workforce recognition is always important, and I want to take this opportunity congratulate the following people for their years of service at LGA: 5 Years - TSO Christine Brown, TSO Spyridon Livathinos, TSO Elon Fiol, LTSO Chelsea Thompson and TSO Giselle McDonnell. For 15 years of service, we recognize STSO Idris Rivera and STSO Jorge Merino. Congratulations to all on your career milestones and thank you very much for your dedication and service to the TSA and to our Nation. In our efforts to be fully staffed for this summer, we started a new officer training class this week. We have 14 new officers who began training on Monday, March, 29. We welcome them aboard and wish them much success. DFSD McKeon and I had the opportunity to meet the new class this afternoon. As with every new class, I explained our basic mission; to detect, deter and disrupt terrorist activity targeting commercial aviation and mass transit. All of the new officers understand that they are now part of an organization whose mission is far greater than any one of us, so life is no longer about them as individuals, but rather they are now part of a 62,000-person team working together world-wide in carrying out the TSA mission every day. We also discussed the requirements for success in their career: tell the truth, do your best every day and always put other people first. Being honest, telling the truth and doing what is inherently right builds trust which is the foundation of any successful relationship and every winning team. Legendary football coach Lou Holtz said “There is never a right time to do the wrong thing, and there is never a wrong time to do the right thing”. Doing our best every day also generates trust. The traveling public and our airport stakeholder partners are depending on us every day to do our best. Additionally, each of your teammates are depending on you every day. We will not let anyone else or each other down. Do your job to the best of your ability. Always put other people first. Don’t be selfish or self-centered. Care about each other. I closed by advising the new officers that I expect them to maintain the personal traits of good character, virtue and honor which are all directly related to the above expectations of all LGA, HPN, ISP and SWF personnel. In closing I want to wish everyone a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter. Thank you all for your continuous dedication and devotion to duty in keeping our Nation free and maintaining our liberty. With great respect, Bob Duffy