Security

An Energy Department investigation has alleviated fears that a significant amount of plutonium was missing from a national laboratory, but it has also heightened concerns about flaws in the system for controlling the U.S. stockpile of weapons materials. The investigation began in February, shortly after a routine inventory at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico found a plutonium shortage estimated at 2.

Re "Security at LAX Highest Since 9/11," Dec. 24: How is more security created by giving only limos and taxis, but not private cars, curbside access? Peter Heiman Malibu

The Social Security numbers, home addresses and phone contacts for at least 300 students who applied for admission to Cal Poly Pomona six years ago were unintentionally disclosed online, according to the university. The personal information remained on the university server and was accessible to the public for about five years, school officials said. The applicants were notified last week and urged to contact credit reporting agencies, school officials said. The personal information, which did not include financial data, was "mistakenly put in a publicly accessible folder on a university server in November 2003, and Google and other search-engine companies mined the data," according to a statement released by Tim Lynch, senior media communications coordinator for Cal Poly Pomona.

Regarding the July 15 Comment ("Thanks for the Theaters, Magic, but Why Such Nasty Security?") by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, this was the third consecutive weekend I went to Magic's theaters and I continue to be awestruck by the sheer volume of foot traffic and activity they have brought to that community. As you enter the parking lot you struggle to find a parking space, something all to common at most malls but never a problem at the Baldwin Hills center. Then as you enter the theater, you can't help from feeling a powerful sense of pride from the beautiful first class lobby to the people who are employed there, anywhere from 35 to 50 mostly young African Americans from the neighborhood are working concession stands, ticket booths, security detail, theater admittance, selling magic souvenirs and providing general information in a very polite way. You can't help but notice the "code of conduct" sign that is prominently displayed near the entrance, but everyone who reads it nods approvingly.

Partisan division over lawmakers' security needs surfaced in the Capitol on Wednesday as representatives returned to work after the Arizona shootings that left six people dead and 13 wounded, including a congresswoman. Democrats suggested extra funding might be needed to beef up security in districts where lawmakers feel particularly exposed, while Republicans sought remedies that would not require additional money. Lawmakers received security briefings, and officials said the House Administration Committee was reviewing arrangements for representatives and their staffs.

The head of the nation's cyber security center has resigned amid persistent turf battles and confusion over the control and protection of the country's vast computer networks and systems. Rod Beckstrom's decision to step down as director of the National Cyber Security Center comes as the White House is conducting a broad 60-day review of how well the government is using technology to protect everything from classified national security data to key financial systems and air traffic control.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, a racing festival that typically draws more than 170,000 spectators over three days, is tightening security for this weekend's event in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon explosions. Officials "will be working in conjunction with the Long Beach Police Department, fire department, city and other agencies to take the appropriate measures to provide for the safety of our fans, workers and participants," said Jim Michaelian, who oversees the event as chief executive of the Grand Prix Assn.

The fatal shooting of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie on Tuesday prompted concerns about the security of the border area  in rural Cochise County, Ariz., where he died.  In neighboring Santa Cruz County, Sheriff Tony Estrada said crime had fallen sharply along the border in recent years, due to a steep drop in illegal immigrant traffic as well as increased Border Patrol staffing. But violent clashes are not uncommon in isolated areas used by drug traffickers and bandits who prey on illegal immigrants.

President Obama will ask Congress for $27 billion for border and transportation security in the next budget year, fulfilling a promise to the Mexican government to battle the southbound flow of illegal weapons and setting the stage for immigration reform by first addressing enforcement, administration officials said Tuesday. The spending, an 8% increase over this year's, will enable the administration to hire more agents and enhance security at air- and seaports.

With former Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton on board, Virginia-based Altegrity Inc. is launching a global investigations company with ties to the city. Bratton is chairman of the new firm, Altegrity Risk International. He's tapped former L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss to run the company's Los Angeles office and former Deputy Police Chief Michael Berkow as president of its security consulting unit. Bratton retired from the Los Angeles Police Department in August after eight years to work for Altegrity Inc., which had more than $900 million in revenue last year and is headed by Mike Cherkasky, former chief executive of the Kroll Group.