Security & Safety Briefs - March 17 - March 23
The Latest Headlines:
- Union Pacific, Texas Strike Rail Deal
- Survey: Rural Areas Feel Unprepared for Attacks
- Patriot Act Opponents Push for Changes
- Survey: Rural Areas Feel Unprepared for Attacks
Union Pacific, Texas Strike Rail Deal
The state of Texas and Union Pacific Railroad announced an agreement to work toward moving freight rail ship-ments out of densely populated areas, the Associated Press reported.The agreement is aimed at reducing accidents and keeping hazardous materials out of major cities, Gov. Rick Perry said March 18.
In February, about 200 residents of San Marcos, Texas, were evacuated after a train hauling sulfuring acid derailed in that city.
Perry said moving the rails could provide valuable space for new highways and roads. Transport Topics
Survey: Rural Areas Feel Unprepared for Attacks
Rural health officials said they believe they are unprepared to respond to potential attacks on food supplies, nuclear power facilities and other targets, the Associated Press reported.A survey of health officials in 26 states sponsored by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Pittsburgh also found that most rural areas would not be prepared for a bioterror attack or to handle a surge of people leaving urban areas after an attack, AP said.
The report comes as the Department of Homeland is proposing awarding federal aid to states based on the level of threat they face. Rural areas fear such an approach would dramatically cut funding for security programs like emer-gency responders. Transport Topics
Patriot Act Opponents Push for Changes
A coalition of opponents to the controversial Patriot Act began a push this week to have the 2001 homeland security law scaled back, Bloomberg reported.The coalition, which includes the American Civil Liberties Union as well as several leading conservative groups, asked Congress to change some of the more “extreme provisions” of the law. Sixteen of the provisions related to surveillance powers will expire on Dec. 31 and lawmakers are being pressured to take action on the law, Bloomberg said.
Passed just 45 days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Patriot Act broadened the power of the FBI and other police agencies to intercept communications and carry out so-called “delayed-notice” searches, according to Bloomberg.
The administration has made renewing the Patriot Act one if major domestic priorities. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said the act is a compilation if “common sense measures,” Bloomberg reported. Transport Topics
