For nearly 20 years I have been involved in national security issues as well as the development of technology to support law enforcement.  Given the reality of today’s post September 11^th world, these two areas are more intertwined than ever before; and Maryland is in the heart of the battle. 

Terrorism is a reality which we must be prepared for

On September 11^th, I drove past the Pentagon fifteen minutes before terrorists flew an airplane into the side of the building.  Dozens of Maryland citizens died in that incident, and many more were involved in rescue efforts. 

In the days and weeks that followed these horrific events, anthrax was discovered on Capital Hill.  This time the lives of thousands of Maryland citizens were disrupted as operations in Washington came to a standstill, many other federal agencies were relocated or placed on heightened security, Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, was called upon to support the investigation, and mail delivery in portions of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. was severely disrupted.

The resulting world that we live in today is most certainly different, and the state has needed to step in and provide a level of security that has far exceeded its prior obligations.  Troops deployed at airports are only one of the visible signs of this changed environment.  Police, fire, medical personnel and facilities across the state have been required to assume a new level of preparedness for a wide range of potential terrorist attacks in our region.

First Responders need our first attention

First responders need sufficient funds to support training and special equipment for characterization and response to terrorist attacks.  In addition, they need to be able to draw upon local health professionals and facilities to properly respond to chemical, biological, or nuclear attacks.  Those health professionals should be similarly trained and be ready to support the needs of first responders.  The state should support the financial needs of local medical facilities in this regard since the costs of purchasing and supporting this special equipment is necessary for the public health of the state.

Our state has several agencies and organizations which are critical to our ability to detect and respond to a terrorist attack.   State and local police, along with local firefighters are likely to be the first responders.  These people need the right training and equipment to be able to properly characterize the nature of the attack, as well as support detaining of suspects and rescuing victims.  The Maryland National Guard will also play a role if a large scale attack takes place, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.  In fact, it is likely that the Maryland National Guard will become the organization which will be most heavily relied upon during a prolonged conflict or in the aftermath of a significant attack.

Keeping our “Guard Up”

The Guard maintains its own computer and telecommunications network (called the DTT) which interconnects nine current and six future sites across the state (in western, central, and eastern Maryland).  Combined with the Net.Work.Maryland network,  the state has the potential for a highly redundant and survivable telecommunications capability.  Such a network would prove to be invaluable if portions of our state came under attack.

The state National Guard and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should prepare a plan for interconnecting the DTT and Net.work.Maryland for the purpose of ensuring that survivable telecommunications are available for self defense and continued governance of the state.  This network should interconnect law enforcement, public health, National Guard, fire and emergency response, as well as state and local government at a time of crisis.

Keeping our neighborhoods safe

On a more conventional note, state and local law enforcement must deal not only with being prepared for potential terrorist attacks, but they must enforce the laws of the state across the board.   This applies to our highways and our neighborhoods, throughout the great variety of our state (urban, suburban, and rural landscapes).  Our state has been quite successful in applying principles of “community policing” to areas which required enhanced attention.  In addition, the state “Hot Spot” program has further focused on locations which warranted special attention.  This innovative program has brought together officials from multiple agencies (at the state, federal, and local levels) in order to cooperatively reduce crime and increase the likelihood that a probationer will become rehabilitated.  Having participated in the National Community Oriented Policing initiative through the US Department of Justice, I can say that I support similar initiatives which bring together officers and agents from multiple agencies.  Cooperation works.  Crime is down in these areas of the state.