Study to Seek Ways to Protect L.A.’s Major Buildings From Terrorism

The Rand Corp. will conduct a $70,000 study of security in Los Angeles high-rises and other buildings such as Staples Center, reporting back in early February, officials announced Monday.

The money for the project is coming from private contributions, and some of the conclusions may be kept secret. Among the ideas to be examined is development of a single identity card that would allow vendors and other frequent users into a number of buildings.

City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo was instrumental in organizing the drive to raise money for the study, and Police Chief Bernard C. Parks and Sheriff Lee Baca joined him and business leaders at a news conference at Staples Center to disclose plans for it.

Describing Los Angeles as “a shining example of greatness that makes us a possible target of terrorists,” Delgadillo said the study could lessen the threat.

Half of the money for the study is coming from the National Electrical Contractors Assn., whose president, Mike Richards, said “a standard ID card” that could be presented in a variety of buildings would improve security procedures.

Jack Reilly, the Rand official coordinating the study, said its aim is to examine feasible preventive measures in the private sector, responses to terrorist attacks if they occur and, finally, measures for speedy recovery.

Baca said the study is another signal “that we are prepared to make homeland security our No. 1 priority,” and Parks called it a government-private enterprise partnership that “moves us much further along in this effort.”

The president of Staples Center, Tim Leiweke, used the occasion to show off some of the steps that have been taken to make Staples Center secure.

Two hundred new concrete barriers weighing 1 1/2 tons each have been purchased to protect the stadium from a car or truck bomber. Also, a television surveillance system of 100 cameras can zoom in on any seat in the facility.

Leiweke said $1.5 million has been spent on security protections at Staples Center, which has 3.5 million patrons at 240 events a year. He added that more will be done if it is shown to be advisable.

Signs prominently displayed at the stadium show that prohibited items include bottles, bags and purses larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, nonprescription drugs, ice chests, thermoses, knives, noisemaking devices and video recorders.