KNX's trumped-up LAX series

I hesitate to even bring up KNX's "investigative" reports about the airport police at LAX because it means having to acknowledge what has been a shockingly amateurish series. But the station seems intent on milking its sensational claims, truth be damned, and airport officials, finally, are defending themselves. In the latest "exclusive," airport cops are reported to be goofing off on the job by reading the paper, working on laptops, and talking on their cell phones. As a result of this less-than-professional conduct, the station concludes, passenger safety is at risk. In other words, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, THE TERRORISTS ARE COMING!! Sounds like a jaw dropper, but the series relies almost exclusively on scattered anecdotes - many of them anonymous and lacking in context. (A number of them involve the reporter's own "observations" - oy.) It reminds me of what a college newspaper reporter might come up with.

My bet is that some LAX cops are indeed dogging it - just like some doctors, lawyers, FBI agents, and yes, radio reporters. But that's not exactly proving the case that LAX is at risk. Is every cop in the department under-performing? If not, how many? Five? Fifty? Exactly how many passengers have complained? Were the complaints legitimate? If security is so poor, why is there a drop in the number of reported crimes? Why haven't there been any significant security breaches involving the airport police? Why hasn't somebody sued? Why haven't the airlines complained? Why haven't the shops and restaurant operators? I couldn't begin to answer these questions, but if I were doing a four-month "investigation," I'd be sure to have them at the ready.