fusion centers

Ohioans should feel safer, for the 57-year old ban preventing the CIA from conducting domestic surveillance has ended. Retired CIA spymaster Charles "Charlie" Allen has reappeared as chief intelligence officer within the Department of Homeland Security and is deploying intelligence officers to newly created Fusion Centers (FCs) throughout the U.S. By the end of 2008, they will be operating in all 50 states.

As part of legislation submitted to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations, the new Democratic majority in Congress has a plan to improve information sharing within the Homeland Security Department. H.R. 1, the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007, submitted by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) would enact several dozen antiterrorism recommendations made by the commission. These include recommendations regarding cargo screening, transportation security, critical infrastructure protection and the national incident management system.

WASHINGTON — Frustrated by poor federal cooperation, states and cities are building their own network of intelligence centers led by police to help detect and disrupt terrorist plots. The new "fusion centers" are now operating in 37 states and another covers the Washington area, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The centers, which have received $380 million in federal support since the 2001 terrorist attacks, pool and analyze information from local, state and federal law enforcement officials.

Boston, MA (AHN) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Monday warned that the Internet provides all the necessary information and communication provision that can transform a vulnerable person into a home grown attacker. Chertoff said that the disaffected people may develop radical ideologies and may acquire potentially violent skills over the Web that could pose a serious threat to U.S. security.

"We now have a capability of someone to radicalize themselves over the Internet," Chertoff said on the sidelines of a meeting of International Association of the Chiefs of Police.