‘Newest Weapon’ Links Local, State and Federal Authorities
By Victor Manuel Ramos, New York Newsday
There was not even the slightest indication that a suspected hijack associate, as initially described by the FBI, was hiding somewhere in Port Washington a couple of weeks ago.
Just to be sure, though, Port Washington Police District officials had every one of their 62 sworn officers become familiar with the mug shot of Saud Abdulaziz Saud al-Rasheed.
They printed fliers that showed his face under a checkered headscarf, along with descriptions from the most recent FBI bulletin. Every Port Washington police officer got one. It turned out that al-Rasheed was not in the neighborhood after all, because he surrendered to Saudi police a few days later. But had he been, the local officers would have been equipped to recognize him.
That type of information sharing, to and from a state-managed data center and local precincts like Port Washington, will be increasingly possible, state officials said, as they unveiled the police district’s hook-up to the New York State Counter-Terrorism Network last month.
The network, which links local law enforcement bodies with state and federal agencies, is being hailed by the State Office of Public Security and the governor’s office as the “newest weapon” against terrorism.
“Because of the threats of future attacks, we can no longer assume that we are safe,” said Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue, who held a news conference at the police district. " ... Being prepared is our number one priority.”
The system’s setup is simple. It consists of a secure computer terminal connected to a state network that is linked to a common database with the FBI, the U.S. Customs Service, the State’s Office of Public Security and participating state, city, county and village police departments. The $3,000 cost of hardware, software and installation is covered by the state’s counterterrorism budget, said Jim Kelly, assistant director for the Office of Public Security.
Through the network, local precincts receive bulletins of possible threats, and they also are expected to send back notices of suspicious activity reported from police officers or residents who call in.
The system is in the second phase of implementation, with 130 terminals connected statewide. Ten such terminals already exist in Nassau and five in Suffolk, with seven more to be installed in each county during the next weeks and months. The goal for the state is, ultimately, to have 300 terminals all across New York. Also to be connected are police departments and government offices in Lake Success, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Westbury, Farmingdale, East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton, Southhold and Stony Brook, as well as the Sheriff’s departments in Nassau and Suffolk, state officials said.
“Information and intelligence regarding risks or threats will be collected, speedily processed and disseminated on a timely basis,” said William Kilfoil, chief of police for the Port Washington Police District. " ... Agencies such as Port Washington will now also be able to input any pertinent information developed locally for analysis and dissemination by the Office of Public Security.”
Donohue said that residents could also contribute and should feel that it is “not only a good choice to report something suspicious” but also their responsibility to do so, by calling their local precincts.
The new approach worries some who believe it could lead to an erosion of civic liberties, especially when there is no clear criteria for what is suspicious activity. Erroneous information could lead to unjustified actions or just render useless intelligence that would tie up resources, said Barbara Bernstein, director of the Nassau chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
“In this technologically advanced age, this is increasingly turning us into a nation of snitchers. It’s one thing to call the police when you have a reason, but the government is now encouraging us to spy on each other,” Bernstein said. " ... What we want is not to use the term ‘terrorism’ to justify every incursion in our liberties.”
Neither state nor local officials elaborated on what would constitute reportable activities, but they all favored prevention and said local police departments would evaluate information before putting it in the database. “It’s no longer paranoia. It’s reality across our country,” Donohue said.