CB Radio Chatter Leads To Warning At Airports

[alicia-w]

Truckers Say They Heard Talk Of Explosives-Filled Truck

POSTED: 4:44 pm EST February 10, 2006
UPDATED: 5:18 pm EST February 10, 2006

MIAMI -- According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a radio conversation overheard by a trucker has led to a "be on the lookout" alert and heightened security awareness at South Florida airports.

The trucker called 911 to reach the West Palm Beach police and said he heard someone talking with a "Middle Eastern" accent about a man headed to a South Florida airport with a truck filled with explosives.

Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne, who is also the head of the South Florida Anti-Terrorism Task Force, said that they are on alert, but they have been unable to independently substantiate any threat.

Jenne said extra protection is in place at the major airports and ports in response to the concern.

But, Jenne said, "People ought not to be going crazy about it at this time."

Jenne said the conversation could have been misheard, could be a hoax, or could be a viable threat, so all the measures being taken are merely precautionary.

The FBI said the initial conversation appeared related to the West Palm Beach Airport, but Jenne said he believes the concern is related to all South Florida airports, not just WPB.

Broward Sheriff's spokesperson Hugh Graf said that there is no increased state of alert at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, but he said they are being more vigilant about trucks in the area of the airport.

Miami-Dade police said that Homeland Security is always in a heightened state of alert, but they also will be on the lookout for any suspect vehicles near Miami International Airport.

http://www.local10.com/news/6913155/detail.html

[vbhoutex]

I hope it is a hoax or if it isn't that the vehicle is found.

[Aslkahuna]

Probably some trucker on pills making a joke-you hear all kinds of weird traffic from truckers on CB.

Steve

[vbhoutex]

Probably some trucker on pills making a joke-you hear all kinds of weird traffic from truckers on CB.

Steve

You are so right. That wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Cookiely]

Probably some trucker on pills making a joke-you hear all kinds of weird traffic from truckers on CB.

Steve

You are so right. That wouldn't surprise me at all.

I disagree. I don't think someone would joke about something like this.

[ohiostorm]

Not anymore, but some people might not think that others can pick up their convos and just have some "fun" anyways.

[gtalum]

I disagree. I don't think someone would joke about something like this.

Kids would. I suspect it was kids fooling around.

[CentralFlGal]

Truckers are especially sensitive to this type of information since CDL holders with Hazmat endorsements require a federal security check under the USA Patriot Act which began in May of 2003.

Joke or not, it's not going to be taken lightly.

[gtalum]

Joke or not, it's not going to be taken lightly.

Unfortunately there's no way to track down the source of a CB transmission.

[azsnowman]

Bring out the "Bomb sniffers!" Stop every truck that's NEAR the airport and let the BS Dogs do the job they are trained for!
Dennis

[gtalum]

Bring out the "Bomb sniffers!" Stop every truck that's NEAR the airport and let the BS Dogs do the job they are trained for!

That's what they did. This happened Friday, by the way. Unfortunately, tying up commerce does nothing to further anyone's safety.

[Aslkahuna]

I don't know, I frequently monitor trucker traffic on CB on trips listening for "Bear" reports (and have even talked to a few of them and you hear some weird stuff from the Indies.

Steve