DeKALB | After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, security emerged as the country’s top priority.

During the last five years, the Department of Homeland Security has increased protection of U.S. transportation and its borders.

“The Transportation Security Administration has been established, which didn’t exist before Sept. 11,” said Jarrod Agen, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.

Many security features onboard planes have been added since the 9/11 hijacking incidents. Agen said this includes hardened cockpit doors, air marshals on planes and professionally-trained bag checkers.

Border security also has increased, in an effort to keep the nation more secure.

“We have intercepted more then 1,200 criminals and immigration violators,” Agen said.

One student feels more secure, but isn’t content with the new security programs.

“I feel safer, but then again, unfortunate things happened because of it, like the Patriot Act,” said sophomore geology major Jaryd Jensen.

Another student doesn’t feel as if the new safety features have helped.

“I think when it first happened, security was tight,” said sophomore accountancy major Danielle Gant. “But after a couple years it laid off.”

In March 2003, the Fugitive Operations Team also was established, which has lead to the arrest of 52,000 illegal aliens since 2003, Agen said.

The Container Security Initiative has also been put into effect, helping to prevent weapons of mass destruction from being brought into the U.S.

“The initiative checks the manifest of what is being shipped 24 hours [in advance],” Agen said.

State Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) is proud of the security provisions taken since Sept. 11.

“We have better equipped and better trained first responders,” Pritchard said. “I think citizens can take comfort in the dedication of the first responders.”

Alan Edrinn is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.