Too much info gives terrorists an advantage

To the editor:

I would like to offer some feedback on the Oct. 3 article "Guard headed to airports." It isn't in the public's best interest to give the specifics of the Guard or city police presence at the airport. This information has the potential to place everyone at greater risk. The bad guys know what to expect.

Information is power. Just because you have the power doesn't mean you must share it with the criminal element. Although I retired from the military as an air-traffic controller, I had tours of duty in my sub-specialty of criminal investigation. My area of expertise was risk assessment and threat/crime prevention.

The information on the times the police are deployed only helps those who would due us harm. Stating that the Guardsmen will only carry 9-mm weapons emboldens terrorists. The possibility that an unseen secondary line of security with M-16s and shotguns doesn't have to be considered by evildoers, making their options greater.

Those of us in the aviation community know the FAA still has restrictions on where general-aviation VFR flights may go. Do we need to inform everyone when the best time to steal an aircraft is? Do you have your tickets to SEMO's homecoming game yet? As a retired military person who has traveled in 13 countries around the world, including the Persian Gulf region, and based on my experience, vigilance in the area of security cannot be made light of even in Cape Girardeau.

JOHN C. GOOCH

Cape Girardeau