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Schumer Asks Feds To Sweep Local Airports For Security 'Blind Spots'

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer has asked federal officials to review New York City area airports to ensure they don't have "blind spots'' terrorists could exploit.

The New York Democrat says Sunday that he has written to the Department of Homeland Security following an investigation that found certain key areas of LaGuardia International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport do not have full video surveillance, CBS2 reported.

Schumer says he worries that such video "blind spots'' leave baggage pick-up and drop-off areas vulnerable to attack. 

"Baggage areas, pick-up and drop-off areas, and large parts of the fences around the airports do not have surveillance cameras," Schumer said. "That's a huge mistake."

He says only a complete review of security at all airports around New York City will help identify other lapses. He says any other problems discovered in the reviews must immediately be fixed.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates area airports.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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