NCJ Number: 202505
Title: Homeland Security and Patriot Acts
Journal: Law and Order Volume:51 Issue:8 Dated:August 2003 Pages:10,12
Author(s): Joe Devanney; Diane Devanney
Date Published: August 2003
Page Count: 2
Publisher: http://www.lawandordermag.com
Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
Format: Article
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Annotation: After an overview of the provisions of the Federal Patriot Act
and the Homeland Security Act (HSA), this article presents
findings from an interview with local criminal justice officials
in Chester County, PA, to assess how these Federal acts have
impacted local justice agencies.
Abstract: The Patriot Act was passed in 2001 as an immediate response to
the September 11 attacks. Its intent is to provide Federal law
enforcement agencies with better tools to counter terrorism. Key
provisions expand surveillance authority and activities,
including surveillance of the Internet; tighten money laundering;
and increase information-sharing among agencies. The primary
intent of the HSA is to reorganize 170,000 Federal employees from
22 agencies to facilitate efficient coordination of counter-terrorism activities. It created a Directorate of Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, which is responsible for building a database of information about
suspected individuals. The directorate also has authority to
develop a national plan for response and defense to terrorism.
Regarding State and local justice and emergency-response agencies, the HSA establishes Federal supervision for what the act calls "local first responders." This provision emphasizes
coordination and guidance among Federal, State, and local
officials, rather than Federal control. Albert DiGiacomo, the
chief of county detectives in the Chester County District Attorney's Office (Pennsylvania), is the county's point of contact with anti-terrorism task forces that share information and schedule training sessions among Federal, State, and county authorities. He credits the U.S. Attorney General for the
formulation of the anti-terrorist task forces nationwide. DiGiacomo also notes, however, that it is still unclear about how training, coordination, and funding will be provided for State and local agencies and officials; and the scope of proactive investigations by local officers has yet to be resolved, along with whether local officers have recourse to the surveillance and investigative tools used by Federal authorities.
Main Term(s): Domestic Preparedness
Index Term(s): Counter-terrorism tactics; Counter-terrorism training; Federal aid; Federal legislation; Intergovernmental relations; US Patriot Act
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=202505
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