The repeal of an 11-year old law requiring mandatory criminal background checks for Florida Maritime workers has opponents and supporters divided over whether stripping down security measures is a good idea or not.
In 2000, Florida enacted a then ground-breaking law to combat a “cocaine cowboy” environment of lawlessness gripping Florida ports.
The Florida State Grand Jury described Florida ports at the time as being “virtually unlocked, if not wide open, to traffickers and money launderers, not to mention thieves, terrorists, and dealers in all manner of contraband.”
So, the security law put into requirement criminal background checks for individuals with port entry access and admittance to restricted areas. At the time, it was estimated 60% of dockworkers had some type of criminal background.
The bar was also raised for security requirements at ports. Surprise inspections by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ensured compliance.
While many applauded the new security standards, other individuals like Mike Rubin, VP of the Florida Ports Council regarded the background checks as a waste of time and resources. “There was never any evidence that this additional background check did anything but cost more money”
Indeed, money was the pivotal concern for repealing the security law. Annual costs for the $50+ background check added up to an annual $3 million dollars to cover all state maritime port workers. Those costs proved to be a bit much for the Florida Port Council to swallow, arguing the costs lessened their competitive edge.
James McDonnough, founder of the Florida Office of Drug Control said port security measures were never popular. “The more security you had, the slower the goods moved and the more money you had to spend. From the get-go, those that worked at the ports didn’t like the idea. They never let go of that view.”
Bill Janes, former director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, thinks repealing the security requirements are a huge mistake: “We have lessened the security in Florida ports. I think the state is taking a huge step backwards.”
A gargantuan amount of cargo and people disgorged by container vessels and cruise ships passes through Florida ports everyday without incident. But with backgrounds checks no longer required, there’s one extra layer of security peeled away. “I think what we’ll see is a return to the bad old days of more drugs coming into the state of Florida,” said McDonough. “Drugs, like water, find the weakest points to flow to. The Florida law just gave [smugglers] a gift: Come on back in.”
Bruce Grant, another alumnus of the Florida Office of Drug Control, can’t be convinced the repeal is a good idea. “The ports can now cut back on the amount they spend on security. That’s got to be detrimental. There’s no way it can’t be.”
Florida shipping port officials; however, don’t see the safety of daily operations being affected with many presently looking for ways to reduce security costs in the wake of the repeal.
Ken Hern at the Port of Palm Beach said “I totally disagree that it’s going to lessen the security of the seaports.”
Repealing background checks are not going to cause the ports of Florida to collapse into anarchy overnight. However, other industries have forsaken security before in the interest of saving money only to have the move blow up in their face.
While a pre-employment background check policy is better off staying in effect, time will ultimately tell whether the repeal proves to be a sound judgment or not.
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