To further the fear of the US becoming a police state, the TSA has taken it upon themselves to create a team of agents (VIPR Teams) to patrol train stations and other public events (sporting events, music festivals, rodeos, highway weigh stations and train terminals as reported below by the NY Times). So now we not only have to worry about them patting down grannies and toddlers at airports, but at the local baseball game or circus. Seriously, though, this is what happens when you give a government agency a huge budget and little oversight, they find ways to 'create' job security.
A scary response from the TSA about these VIPR Teams and their function outside of airport security:
T.S.A. officials respond that the random searches are “special needs” or “administrative searches” that are exempt from probable cause because they further the government’s need to prevent terrorist attacks.
So, you can be randomly searched by TSA at your local sporting event and they do not need a warrant or probably cause......
T.S.A. Expands Duties Beyond Airport Security
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08...t-security.html?_r=0