By Karen Robes Meeks
Officials at the nation’s busiest seaport announced on Friday that they will beef up security at West Basin Container Terminal after a man driving a stolen SUV breached port security earlier this month.
While long-term solutions are being considered, the Port of Los Angeles in the interim has already made stringent modifications to access points at the terminal and added more security personnel, road barriers and other measures. The port is also reviewing security at all its terminals.
“Last week’s incident involving a subject in a stolen car illegally entering one of our terminals is something that we will learn from and we have taken immediate interim steps to correct,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our workers and the security of our port complex.”
On August 16, police chased James Llamas, 23, as he drove a stolen car through South Bay and Long Beach, and ultimately into the Port of Los Angeles complex.
The chase, which was televised, showed Llamas speeding through the terminal and climbing a crane. The port told the Long Beach Press-Telegram that the man was perched 120 feet above sea level. During the hours-long standoff with police, he stripped his clothes, danced and exercised, and displayed other erratic behaviors before plunging to his death.
“I commend the Port of Los Angeles for quickly addressing the vulnerability revealed by last week’s police chase suspect,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino.” As our region’s biggest economic engine, it is critical to ensure the security of goods movement and the safety of the hard-working people who make our Port the efficient machine that it is.”