Hiding in plane sight

Camera crew keeps watch on those watching the airport

“They blend in with the general public. ... And I think that’s their greatest asset; they can work covertly.” Frank Capello, director of security for Broward Aviation Department

If you like watching airplanes at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, someone is probably watching you.

A group of about 15 photographers, who love capturing planes, has volunteered to help authorities spot any suspicious activity in public aircraft-viewing areas near runways. The same organization has been bolstering security at Miami International since April 2014.

“It’s a group that allows us another set of eyes if anything seems out of the ordinary,” said Frank Capello, director of security for the Broward County Aviation Department.

Airport officials officially sanctioned the group, called FLL Airport Watch, in late August by conducting background checks, providing security training and issuing credentials to each

member.

The photographers also were given shirts with special logos to ensure the real airport security people can identify them.

“When they’re out there making observations, they blend in with the general public; they look just like people taking photographs,” Capello said. “And I think that’s their greatest asset; they can work covertly.”

The photographers primarily will patrol the aircraft-viewing area on the west side of the airport and the Airport Greenbelt, a park on the south side of the airfield. They also might check out the aircraft-viewing area atop the Hibiscus parking garage, airport officials said.

The photographers provide extra security when they’re not working their regular jobs, including an attorney, caterer and design artist, or spending time with family, said Suresh Atapattu, of Plantation, a biomedical engineer.

“People do their own thing based on their schedules,” he said. “But pretty much every day there will be somebody, somewhere on the airport property.”

Non-photographers are allowed to join the airport watch group, but membership is limited, Capello said.

Before the photographers were authorized to patrol the airport’s perimeter, they had to learn how to identify suspicious people and how to quickly report a problem to authorities. They also had to learn Transportation Security Administration and Broward Sheriff’s Office

“Our role is to be an extra set of eyes and ears for

Broward County.” Erik Funderburk, member of FLL Airport Watch

procedures.

“It was pretty robust training,” Capello said.

In addition to observing people, the photographers keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife that might interfere with aircraft operations, said Atapattu, the group’s leader.

“You see vultures because there’s a garbage dump out west, wheeling around on the approach path,” he said.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, airport security officials nationwide generally kept the public clear of runways. While that policy has loosened over the years, police still make sure no one gets too close to planes taking off or landing. The photographers will help reinforce that effort, said Greg Meyer, airport spokesman.

“These guys were out here anyway,” he said. “We thought the benefits outweigh any risks.”

The security detail aside, the photographers frequently visit the airport to record the most colorful and unique planes — as a side business or hobby.

Now they can combine that pastime with making sure no one has any ill intent, said Erik Funderburk, a shutterbug who previously was a deputy chief for the Plantation Police Department and now is a detective for Broward schools.

“We’re not out there to tell people to pick up their garbage or break up a fight in the parking lot,” he said. “Our role is to be an extra set of eyes and ears for Broward County.”

So far, the group has not reported any suspicious incidents. However, during their first week on the job, four of them simultaneously spotted a wallet in a parking lot. They turned it in to airport security.

Aside from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, about a dozen other airports also have community organizations supplementing security, including Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis and Phoenix.

Atapattu said local photographers eventually may help out at Palm Beach International. “I wouldn’t rule it out,” he said.

To join FLL Airport Watch, call the airport’s security division at 954-3591028.

TAIMY ALVAREZ/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER FLL Airport Watch members Mark Lawrence, of Plantation, left, Suresh Atapattu, of Plantation, and Dave Mills, of Fort Lauderdale, take pictures of a plane landing at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport on Thursday morning.

TAIMY ALVAREZ/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER FLL Airport Watch members have been trained in how to report suspicious incidents around the airport. There are 15 photographers in the group.