ATLANTA — An attack on Belgium’s main airport on Tuesday led to stepped-up security measures at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. %
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While law enforcement leaders assured the traveling public that they're doing everything possible to keep them safe, Tuesday's attacks in Belgium are a reminder to remain vigilant.
"(It's) definitely not business as usual at the airport," Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Jim Butterworth said. "Times like this put our teams together."
Just hours after terrorist bombs ripped through the Brussels airport, Channel 2 investigative reporter Aaron Diamant reported seeing visible armed tactical officers, K-9 units and additional foot and bike patrols at the airport.
That show of force was combined with behind-the scenes surveillance in common areas outside screening checkpoint areas similar to those that terrorists struck in Belgium. %
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"Each layer is going to have a hole, but the idea is that there are multiple layers of that Swiss cheese, and at some point that threat is going to be caught," Butterworth said.
But even with a multi-layered approach, Georgia State University counter-terrorism expert Robert Friedmann warned: "To expect that you will have a fail-safe system that guarantees people absolute safety, I mean, that's just not going to happen."
And despite all the planning, strategizing and preparing, Friedmann told Diamant that there is only one guarantee.
"The fact remains that if somebody is intent enough to carry out an attack, there is no security measure that will stop them," Friedmann said.
MARTA taking every precaution for safety
The terrorists in Belgium also targeted a subway station.
That has MARTA police leaders in contact with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and others around the country.
While they say there's no specific threat to the system, they told Channel 2’s Erin Coleman they're still out in full force.
In the stations, on the platforms and even outside, MARTA police officers want you to see them.
“When I just arrived here I've seen the cops and I was a little bit worried because I knew something was up,” said passenger Keenan Kone.
Their presence, not meant to worry, but ease any concerns after the attack in Brussels.
“We want to make sure we can catch anything before it happens so that's going to be the posture that we have for the remainder of the weekend,” said Lt. Aston Greene with the MARTA Police Department.
Greene told Coleman that K-9 units are also sweeping high traffic stations like the airport station and Five Points.
In January, Channel 2 Action News reported first how all K-9 officers on duty are now wearing body cameras. It is part of a pilot program MARTA hopes to expand in the coming months.
Along with cameras in every station, on buses and trains, MARTA hopes passengers feel more secure.
MARTA leaders say the best thing people can do now is download their See and Say Something App. They're even using reverse messages to remind people if you see something suspicious to report it.
“You can do it discreetly. It works on the train, works on the buses and if all else fails call 911,” Greene said.
Riders say they've spoken up in the past and now is the time to be vigilant.
“I've seen a backpack sitting by its lonely self and reported it and that's the best we can do is make sure we say something,” said passenger Dan Kamal.
Cox Media Group
