Leaders study state's fitness to block attack

Gov. Jeb Bush meets with law enforcement officers, business people and others to discuss ways of thwarting terrorism.

By STEVE BOUSQUET

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 28, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- Dozens of police and fire chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and business leaders from across the state met Thursday to assess Florida's level of readiness against a threat of a terrorist attack.

The gathering was part of Gov. Jeb Bush's directive to review airports, seaports, water supplies, hospitals, bridges, military bases and energy sources for their vulnerability. The law enforcement professionals served as a grim sounding board for a coming state plan on security.

But another goal was to reassure Floridians that it's safe to go to a restaurant or the movies and fly on airplanes.

"Our job, I think, is to lessen their fears -- not just with hype, but with tangible efforts to provide security," Bush said.

Calming Floridians' fears is not just a question of public safety. It's also a matter of money.

The report is expected to be made public Monday by Bush and legislative leaders, who will share the big burden of finding the money to pay for the improvements that inevitably will be proposed to make Florida a safer place. Bush has identified up to $80-million in aviation fuel tax money to pay for airport security improvements.

Lawmakers plan a special session as early as next month to deal with a budget shortfall estimated at $673-million before the Sept. 11 attacks. They have asked state agencies to assemble possible budget cuts of an extra 5 percent in this fiscal year.

Jim Loftus, a spokesman for the state Division of Emergency Management, who has taken part in some planning meetings, said officials have been grappling with the cost of more security.

"If you're going to put guards around water treatment plants, and you want them there 24-7, that is going to cost money," Loftus said. "Those are the kinds of things we're wrestling with."

James "Tim" Moore, commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, described the audience as a "hand-picked" group of law enforcement experts. About a dozen sheriffs were invited.

"This is about finding an integrated, cooperative solution," Moore said.

The tone of Thursday's session was set in an opening prayer by M. Michael McHargue, FDLE's criminal justice training expert, who said: "We pray that you will quicken our minds to give us insights into events that are greater than our own capacity. We ask that you bring us together, collectively, in a godly way."

Afterward, participants declared the meetings a success, in part because law enforcement groups that are notorious for turf wars were in the same room.

"People are now coming together and talking. That's a positive sign that cannot be emphasized enough," said Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne.

"I have never seen the law enforcement community come together this way," said St. Johns County Sheriff Neil Perry.

He said the session underscored a need for antiterrorism training and equipment. Lt. Scott Stiner of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said on the drive back home Thursday that Floridians should feel secure.

"They can go about their business. They shouldn't be afraid to go to the movies or to dinner, or travel this state or this country," Stiner said.

-- Staff writer Chris Tisch contributed to this report.

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