The Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) - Professional truck drivers are being trained to use their wireless communication and location devices to report security concerns.
Arizona is the 15th state to join national Highway Watch, a voluntary, unpaid program. Since April, 1,000 truck drivers in the country have been through the program administered by the American Trucking Associations, The Arizona Republic reported on its Web site Thursday.
“I always thought that there was an untapped resource in the professional driver as he travels on the highways,” said Lt. Bernie Gazdzik, a Department of Public Safety district commander for commercial vehicle reinforcement.
Jeff Beatty, an ex-FBI agent and the anti-terrorism consultant for the American Trucking Associations, said the program’s goals are to prevent trucks from being used as a weapon and to protect the nation’s infrastructure.
Training for the program is funded with $500,000 from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for this fiscal year. Next year, $1 million is set aside.
Truck drivers will call an “800" number to report suspicious activity. The information will be forwarded to law enforcement authorities in that state.