Durst Organization hires state trooper to run 1 WTC security

Major in New Jersey State Police department brought on following string of breaches

From left: Major Kevin Fowler, One World Trade Center and Douglas Durst
From left: Major Kevin Fowler, One World Trade Center and Douglas Durst

The Durst Organization selected a major in the New Jersey State Police force to oversee private security at One World Trade Center. The appointment follows a series of breaches that led to the dismissal of the former head of security.

Major Kevin Fowler will take the reins at 1 WTC next month, replacing former FBI agent David Valazquez, DNAinfo reported. Fowler told DNAinfo that he will focus on working closely with the Port Authority and the NYPD, and will not enact any major changes until he has consulted with Durst and law enforcement agencies.

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Fowler has worked for the state police for 27 years and, according to his LinkedIn profile, served as a principal security planner for the Super Bowl in February, DNAinfo reported.

Security at 1 WTC came under scrutiny in September when four base jumpers managed to get into the tower and then leap from the top. In February, a 16-year-old New Jersey resident also broke into the site and made his way to the top of the building. [DNAinfo] — Tom DiChristopher