Security Chief Named for Logan Airport

Seeking to assure her home state--and the country--that security is a priority at Logan International Airport, acting Gov. Jane M. Swift on Tuesday announced a new head of safety for the embattled facility.

Swift did not mention the name of Joseph Lawless, the former security chief who ham-handedly told federal officials their help was not needed in the initial phase of the investigation after two planes that took off from Logan struck New York City’s World Trade Center. Swift said Col. John DiFava of the Massachusetts state police will immediately assume responsibilities for safety and security at Logan.

The 27-year state police veteran already was in charge of technical operations at Logan, where security slip-ups have come under severe scrutiny since hijackers Sept. 11 boarded two planes bound for Los Angeles to launch the worst terrorist attacks in American history.

Logan is overseen by the Massachusetts Port Authority, where political patronage fills most top jobs. Lawless, who apparently will be reassigned, was a driver for former Gov. William Weld before assuming his $130,000-a-year post.

Public anger over security breaches at the airport mounted further this week when a local businessman disclosed that he walked through an unsupervised metal detector last weekend and proceeded to his gate with no screening.

A poll released Tuesday by the Boston Herald showed that more than half the voters wanted Massport chief Virginia Buckingham fired. Only a quarter of respondents felt the state was prepared for a terrorist attack.

In a nine-minute speech Tuesday from her office on Beacon Hill, the Republican acting governor said the airport’s “long-term organizational issues” will be reviewed over the next 45 days by a “distinguished” panel.

Swift then moved quickly to roll out new safety and economic incentive measures.

In the first statewide live television address by a governor here since 1991, she asked the Legislature to authorize $26 million for new security steps--including the hiring and training of 150 state troopers to shore up the 100 state officers assigned to Logan after the terrorist incidents.

In the face of layoffs at Logan, Swift said she will eliminate the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.

Swift also said she would waive tuition and fees at state colleges and universities for children and spouses of Massachusetts residents who died in the attacks.

To further bolster confidence, she said, “Tomorrow, I am getting on a plane at Logan” to travel to Washington, where she will meet with Bush administration officials and her state’s congressional delegation.

After the speech, state Treasurer Shannon O’Brien faulted Swift for not taking faster, more sweeping action at Logan.

Noting that three weeks have passed since the attacks, O’Brien--a Democrat who is widely expected to run for governor next year--said: “Massport has been tainted nationally. We have to have an overhaul of Massport from top to bottom.”

University of Massachusetts political science professor Lou di Natale gave Swift credit for “a serious speech about a serious topic.”

But, Di Natale said, “she should have done this sooner.” By appearing to delay decisive action at Logan, the images of the state and the airport suffered, he said.

“The proof is in the security on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “If there is a security screw-up at Logan tomorrow, none of this will help at all.”