The U.S. Government’s efforts to prevent terrorist acts since September 11 have substantially increased and included many aspects of government policy, such as military, immigration, economic, intelligence, and law enforcement. State and local law enforcement are the eyes and ears of the community and Nation and play an essential role in preventing acts of terrorism. The ways in which State and local law enforcement personnel continue to assist in the effort to prevent terrorist attacks is multifold and extremely critical to preventing atrocities and protecting citizens. Officers always have been on the cutting edge of this mission and now they have better tools at their disposal. Officers encounter known and suspected terrorists in urban areas as well as rural ones. With the growth of the joint terrorism task force (JTTF) concept and the information sharing of the Terrorism Screening Center, obtaining and analyzing information is substantially enhanced. New instruments and the proactive nature of State and local law enforcement authorities have all played and will continue to support an essential role in preventing future terrorism. 9 endnotes