Following September 11, 2001, the 2001-2002 Grand Jury studied the adequacy of security at the San Carlos and Half Moon Bay airports. Security was found to be good and continuing to improve.

Issue: Is there appropriate and adequate security at the San Carlos and Half Moon Bay airports?

Security at the San Carlos airport first became a concern several years ago because of a series of thefts of equipment from private airplanes. Management contracted for drive-by vehicle security patrol services in 1994. This initial service was replaced by a full-time contractor guard service in 1995 for the hours when the airport tower is closed. There are fewer security concerns at Half Moon Bay airport because most of the planes are stored in individual locked hangers that are under the control of the aircraft owners.

The current investigation included interviews with the Sheriff, his key staff members responsible for airport security, the County Manager, the airports manager, and management staff of the contracted security services at the airports, Pinkerton Security and Investigation Service. The Grand Jury also reviewed the current Pinkerton contract and observed security practices at the airports.
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The Grand Jury found that airport management is providing a satisfactory degree of security. Airport management demonstrates an assertive effort, coordinated with the contract Pinkerton personnel, to improve the level of security coverage at no cost to the taxpayers. Airport security costs are fully recovered from the tenants and users of the airports. No significant security issues have arisen at the airports in the past five years.