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| Wilson Plans Security Measure |
December 24, 2005 |
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Journal Staff Report
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., said Friday she will introduce legislation next year to revise federal rules governing the security of explosives.
Her action follows the discovery that 150 pounds of plastic explosives, 250 pounds of sheet explosives, 2,500 blasting caps and 20,000 feet of explosive detonator cord were stolen from a storage depot in Bernalillo County.
The explosives, which belonged to Cherry Engineering, had been protected by a barbed-wire fence, a gate, a few warning signs and some locks. There were no guards, special lights, cameras or alarms.
The explosives have since been recovered.
A blowtorch was used to cut locks in order to steal the explosives, according to police.
Wilson said she has been told the depot complied with all federal guidelines. "There are still important questions here that need to be answered, but it seems to me we need to update these rules," she said in a statement issued by her office.
"We will take action on this when Congress reconvenes in January. ... We will get input from experts on security so that we get this right and improve public safety," she said.
Earlier in the week, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez called for federal action to improve security requirements for explosives.
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