Panelists: (from left) James Kallstrom, Senior Policy Advisor to New York State Governor George Pataki for Counter-Terrorism; James McMahon, Director, New York State Office of Public Security; Congressman Peter King, Member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security in the U. S. House of Representatives, and Senator Michael Balboni, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee of the NYS Senate.

Attendees at the Homeland Security conference (from left): David J. Steinberg, president, Long Island University; Peter King; James Kallstrom; Jim McMahon; John C. Cochrane, Suffolk County Treasurer; Michael Balboni; Joseph Shenker, provost, C.W. Post Campus; Bob Gaffney, Suffolk County Executive; and Roger Tilles, chairman of the Long Island University Board of Trustees.

Homeland Security Forum Focuses on Local Role
in Anti-Terrorism Efforts

October 14th, 2003

More than 100 law enforcement officials, including police chiefs, directors and investigators involved with United States and New York State anti-terrorism activities, attended a public forum today to learn more about efforts to protect New York State citizens from acts of terrorism.

The conference, "Homeland Security: Protecting New York’s Vital Infrastructure," was sponsored by the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and featured a panel of legislative leaders involved with homeland security activities.

Among the speakers were Congressman Peter King, Member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security in the U. S. House of Representatives; Senator Michael Balboni, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee of the NYS Senate; James Kallstrom, Senior Policy Advisor to New York State Governor George Pataki for Counter-Terrorism; and James McMahon, Director, New York State Office of Public Security.

There has already been progress to address the threat of terrorism at the state and local level such as the creation of a 300-terminal state-wide Secure Counter-Terrorism Network, the New York State Cyber-Security Task Force and the NYS Bio-Watch Network to provide early detection of airborne pathogens.

However, today’s panel members agreed that there should be greater integration and communication among federal, state and local authorities. Improvements could include local and state law enforcement access to federal databases, which contain vast information about suspected and potential terrorists. Panel members expressed concern that members of terrorist cells living in America can easily obtain driver’s licenses and secure bank accounts and credit cards. However, local police do not always have access to the federal "watch list" database. By working with their federal counterparts, officials in counties, villages and local municipalities could greatly benefit from access to critical information on the people who pose terrorist threats.

"Information sharing [among federal, state and local governments] is the key to prevention. To overlook that, we will not get ahead. This integrated approach will be key to our success," said Jim McMahon.

Senator Michael Balboni said, "We are dealing with a new paradigm with old strategies. Homeland security gives us the opportunity to view every aspect of society - if we take the opportunity.