Security Briefs - Feb. 19 - Feb. 25
The Latest Headlines:
- Homeland Security Department to Share More Data
- Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas Files in Ricin Case
- U.S. to Push G8 for New Safety Initiatives
- Ridge Asks Mexico to Increase Security
- Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas Files in Ricin Case
Homeland Security Department to Share More Data
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Tuesday announced that first responders will be able to get real-time information about crimes, natural disasters and potential terrorist acts from the department's expanded communications network, news services reported.The Homeland Security Information Network will allow the instant flow of threat information among federal, state and local agencies involved in fighting terrorism, AP said.
Currently about 1,000 first responders have access to the system, Ridge said. It will be expanded to more than 5,000 state and local officials in all 50 states and every big city by fall. Transport Topics
Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas Files in Ricin Case
A federal grand jury has subpoenaed work records for nine truck drivers employed by Mail Contractors of America Inc. as it tries to determine who sent a letter containing ricin to a South Carolina postal processing center last fall, the Washington Post reported Monday.Mail Contractors, based in Little Rock, Ark., received the subpoena in late November which sought driver logs, telephone records, delivery receipts and expenses, the Post said. The subpoena came about a month after FBI agents visited the company to review drivers' records.
The company has about 1,400 employees, most of them truckers, and has been carrying U.S. mail for more than 40 years.
Besides the incident in South Carolina, a similar letter containing ricin was intercepted last fall before it reached its intended destination at the White House. Both letters complained about new workday rules for truck drivers. Transport Topics
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U.S. to Push G8 for New Safety Initiatives
The United States is putting pressure on the Group of Eight industrialized nations to adopt a new safety initiative at their June summit to help thwart terrorist attacks, Reuters reported.The U.S. Secure and Facilitated International Travel Initiative calls for measures including greater intelligence and data sharing on passengers, crew and cargo, as well as more uniform and computer readable travel documents, Reuters said.
Several European officials said the were concerned about several elements of the initiative, especially those involving the release of passenger information and other privacy issues, Reuters said.
The group comprises the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia. Transport Topics
Ridge Asks Mexico to Increase Security
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge asked Mexico to step up patrols and other security measures south of the U.S. border, saying it would help both countries defeat terrorism, the Associated Press reported.Although there has been no direct evidence that terrorists are using Mexico to stage an attack, officials worry they might tap into the country's drug and migrant smuggling networks, AP said.
Mexico has increased security along the border and allowed the United States to post FBI and U.S. immigration agents at airports.
Ridge said both nations have made progress in identifying people and commerce that were safe and could cross quickly, allowing border agents to focus on those who may pose a threat, AP reported. Transport Topics
