SECURITY UPGRADES STRAP PORT

Legislature Requires Improvements

TAMPA - The Port of Tampa must upgrade security by using vehicle
checkpoints, instituting employee background checks and installing
barbed-wire fencing and video surveillance.

But money for the estimated $15 million project to stem illegal activity
such as drug smuggling is in limbo - leaving port officials wondering how
they can pay for the improvements.

"As I stand here today, I have no money," said George Williamson, the
port's director and chief executive officer. "I'm not against this - I'm
just saying you have to help us dollar-wise."

SIDEBAR GRAPHIC "Closing The Door On Drugs" shows the estimated costs at
five Florida ports and a general description of upgrades:

Tampa: $15.0 million, plus $2.2 million per year. Jacksonville: $1.4
million, plus $1.8 million per year. Miami-Dade: $8.0 million, plus
$580,000 per year. Everglades: $14.4 million, plus $700,000 per year. Palm
Beach: $2.6 million, plus $700,000 per year.

Security Upgrades: Picture ID for all employees. Fingerprint based
background check. Transient employees must sign log and obtain visitor's
pass. Access gates at perimeter entrances. More security personnel.
Closed-circuit video. Strict parking rules. 10' high barbed wire fences
surrounding restricted areas. Increased lighting. X-ray and metal detector
at cruise terminals.

The port security mandate was passed by the Legislature this session as
part of Gov. Jeb Bush's attempt to crack down on illegal drugs in Florida.

Bush's goals are to cut the supply of drugs in Florida by one-third and to
cut demand by one-half.

As part of the goal to reduce the supply of drugs, Bush wants strict
security at the state's 14 deep-water ports.

The governor's Office of Drug Control Policy, which Bush created shortly
after his election in 1998, reports between 165 and 220 tons of cocaine
come into Florida each year, mostly through the ports.

Some 60 percent of the drugs seized in the United States are seized at
Florida ports.

The first phase of the security upgrade - fingerprint background checks and
employee badges - will start early next year at the Port of Tampa. Current
and potential employees won't be able to work for Florida ports if they
have been convicted of a drug-related or violent offense in the past five
years.

The Legislature already has set aside $1.5 million to pay for the
background checks. It will make another $5.5 million available to be
divvied up by the ports for general capital costs.

But, beyond that $7 million, no money exists.

The Florida Port Council said the 14 ports estimate they will need a total
of $34 million from the state to implement the security upgrades.

The Port of Tampa will spend $6 million alone for a massive checkpoint at
its main entrance.

Erecting miles of barbed-wire at the sprawling 2,500-acre facility, adding
dozens of closed circuit video cameras and screens as well as doubling the
port's security force from 25 to 50 will cost another $9 million.

Plus, the added security is expected to cost the port another $2.2 million
in payroll and supply costs.

Williamson said if the port is put in a pinch, it is prepared to use local
tax money to finance the project, which must be completed within the next
four years.

The port got $10.3 million from county property taxes in fiscal 2001. The
money finances capital improvements such as upgrading berths that are in
poor condition and increasing the capacity of spoil islands, where it
disposes of dredge material.

"We'll probably have to spend some of the taxes on the security measures,
and we're fine with that," Williamson said, adding Bush assured him the
state would provide some money.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will check on each port's
progress with annual, unannounced inspections.

Jim McDonough, director of the state Office of Drug Control Policy, said in
addition to thwarting drug smuggling, the upgraded security also will help
control illegal aliens, contraband, stolen cargo and terrorism.

He acknowledged the difficulty in finding money for the security upgrades;
however, he said the spending could be looked at as an investment.

"If you have a secure port, and a cleaner port, you can attract more
business," McDonough said.